Chess Puzzle #3MXBE — Intermediate, Black to move, opening

Rating 1317 · Intermediate · advantage, defensive move, hanging piece, opening, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops d3/f4; knights e5/f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/e8; bishops c8/d6; knights c6/d7; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh7+ — bishop d3→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kxh7 — king g8→h7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Ng5+ (knight f3→g5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg8 — king h7→g8.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, hanging piece, opening, short. The key move Kxh7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1r1k1/ppqn1ppp/2nbp3/3pN3/3P1B2/2PB1N1P/PP3PP1/R2Q1RK1 w - - 5 13

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