Chess Puzzle #57ocd — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2301 · Expert · advantage, fork, intermezzo, master, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen c1; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/h4; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen e4; rooks d8/h8; bishop g4; knights b4/d5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd8 — bishop h4→d8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nc2+ — knight b4→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e1→d2).
  3. Best move: Rxd8 — rook h8→d8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, intermezzo, master, middlegame, short. The key move is Nc2+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/ppp3pp/8/3n1p2/1n2q1bB/2P1PN2/PP3PPP/R1Q1KB1R w KQ - 2 15

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