Chess Puzzle #3Y2JO — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1308 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks b7/f1; bishop d4; knight c3; pawns a2/c2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks a8/f8; knight f5; pawns a6/c6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne2 — knight c3→e2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight f5→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxd4 (knight e2→d4, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen c4→d4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1R3pp1/p1p1p2p/3pPn2/2qB4/2N2Q2/P1P2PPP/5RK1 w - - 3 18

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