Chess Puzzle #3cMfV — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1738 · Advanced · advantage, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; knight d5; pawns a2/b3/c4/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks a8/f8; bishop g7; pawns a7/c5/e4/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd4+ — bishop g7→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d1→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c5→d4, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Nf6+ — knight d5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
  4. Best move: Nxd7 — knight f6→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p2q1pb1/6pp/2pN4/2PPp3/1P6/P5PP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 22

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