Chess Puzzle #3tB5S — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1457 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king f2; queen d3; rooks e1/e3; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/d4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen d6; rooks c1/c8; knight g3; pawns a7/b7/d5/f5/g5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re6 — rook e3→e6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nh1+ — knight g3→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxh1 (rook e1→h1, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxe6 — queen d6→e6, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook h1→c1, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Rxc1 — rook c8→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move is Nh1+.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k2/pp6/3q4/3p1ppp/3P4/3QRPnP/PP1N1KP1/2r1R3 w - - 3 32

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