Chess Puzzle #1c9Rd — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2276 · Expert · equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks b1/c1; bishop f3; pawns a3/d4/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king d6; queen c7; rooks g5/g8; knight d2; pawns c6/d5/f6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc6+ — rook c1→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc6 — queen c7→c6, captures rook. Opponent replies Rb6 (rook b1→b6).
  3. Best move: Nxf3+ — knight d2→f3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
  4. Best move: Nxd4 — knight f3→d4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move Nxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/2q5/Q1pk1p2/3p2r1/3PP3/P4BP1/3n1P1P/1RR3K1 w - - 1 38

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