Chess Puzzle #3XYIK — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2431 · Master · advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rooks c1/e1; bishop b1; pawns a2/b2/d4/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook e6; knight f4; pawns a6/b6/c4/d5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exd5 — pawn e4→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e6→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook c1→e1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Nh3+ — knight f4→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  4. Best move: Nxf2 — knight h3→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Rxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6p1/pp2r2p/3p2q1/2pPPn2/5P2/PP3QPP/1BR1R1K1 w - - 1 31

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