Chess Puzzle #2SMvn — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1457 · Intermediate · advantage, double check, fork, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook f1; bishops b1/b2; knight d4; pawns a3/b4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook d8; bishops d6/e6; knight e4; pawns a6/b7/d5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f2→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bh2+ — bishop d6→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Ng3+ — knight e4→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king h1→h2, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: Nxf1+ — knight g3→f1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, double check, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Nxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1pq2pp1/p2bb2p/3p4/1P1Nn3/P3P2P/1B3PP1/1B1Q1RK1 w - - 3 21

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