Chess Puzzle #1a0k7 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1446 · Intermediate · clearance, crushing, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks a1/e1; bishop f6; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/f4/g4/h3. Black: king c8; rooks d7/e8; bishop c5; knights d1/d4; pawns a6/b7/c7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook e1→d1, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Nxe2 (knight c3→e2, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Be3+ — bishop c5→e3, gives check.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, short. The key move is Ne2+.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/1ppr1p1p/p4Bp1/2b1P3/3n1PP1/2N4P/PPP5/R1KnR3 w - - 0 20

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.