Chess Puzzle #4H3wT — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1496 · Intermediate · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f1; bishop a7; knight f5; pawns a2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king h8; rooks b7/c2; knight f6; pawns d5/e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rab1 — rook a1→b1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa7 — rook b7→a7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rb8+ (rook b1→b8, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ng8 — knight f6→g8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Rxa7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 7k/Br3ppp/5n2/3ppN2/8/5P2/P1r2P1P/R4RK1 w - - 1 24

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