Chess Puzzle #4zE2M — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2379 · Expert · advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king e1; queen e2; rooks a1/g5; bishops c2/g7; knight f3; pawns a4/b2/c3/f5/h4. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks d8/e8; bishop a7; knights d3/f2; pawns a5/b7/c7/e5/f7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd3 — bishop c2→d3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd3+ — knight f2→d3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e1→f1).
  3. Best move: Nf4 — knight d3→f4. Opponent replies Bxe5+ (bishop g7→e5, captures pawn, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kh7 — king g8→h7.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move Nxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/bpp2pB1/1q6/p3pPR1/P6P/2Pn1N2/1PB1Qn2/R3K3 w Q - 2 25

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