Chess Puzzle #3Nx6c — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2313 · Expert · advantage, endgame, sacrifice, very long.

Position

White: king d1; rook g2; bishops c1/f1; pawns a4/c3/d6/f4/g3. Black: king c8; rook a1; bishop b7; knight b4; pawns a7/b6/c5/d7/e4/e6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Na2 — knight b4→a2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh2 — rook g2→h2. Opponent replies Rxc1+ (rook a1→c1, captures bishop, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kd2 — king d1→d2. Opponent replies e3+ (pawn e4→e3, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxe3 — king d2→e3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxc3+ (rook c1→c3, captures pawn, gives check).
  5. Best move: Kd2 — king e3→d2. Opponent replies Rc2+ (rook c3→c2, gives check).
  6. Best move: Kxc2 — king d2→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, sacrifice, very long. The key move is Rh2.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pb1p4/1p1Pp3/2p5/Pn2pP2/2P3P1/6R1/r1BK1B2 b - - 0 39

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