Chess Puzzle #5X7yh — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1501 · Intermediate · crushing, defensive move, endgame, long.

Position

White: king f3; knight d7; pawns a4/b3/c4/e5/f4/g5. Black: king e7; bishop b4; pawns a5/b6/c6/e6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxb6 — knight d7→b6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bc5 — bishop b4→c5. Opponent replies Nc8+ (knight b6→c8, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kd7 — king e7→d7. Opponent replies Nd6 (knight c8→d6).
  4. Best move: Bxd6 — bishop c5→d6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Bc5.

Position data

FEN: 8/3Nkp2/1pp1p1p1/p3P1P1/PbP2P2/1P3K2/8/8 w - - 1 40

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