Chess Puzzle #4buSy — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2198 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, fork, long.

Position

White: king e3; rook d1; bishop b6; pawns a5/b3/e5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook d7; knight d5; pawns c6/d3/e6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke4 — king e3→e4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nc3+ — knight d5→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king e4→e3).
  3. Best move: Nxd1+ — knight c3→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e3→d2).
  4. Best move: Nc3 — knight d1→c3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, fork, long. The key move Nxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3r2p1/1Bp1p2p/P2nP3/8/1P1pKP2/6PP/3R4 w - - 5 33

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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