Chess Puzzle #8N0Xo — Advanced, Black to move, opening

Rating 1761 · Advanced · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/c4; knight h2; pawns a4/b2/c3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen c7; rooks a8/d8; bishops c8/f6; knight h4; pawns a5/b7/c5/e5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh6 — bishop c1→h6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: gxh6 — pawn g7→h6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxh6+ (queen h5→h6, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ke7 — king f8→e7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move gxh6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1br1k2/1pq2pp1/5b1p/p1p1p2Q/P1B1P2n/2P4P/1P3PPN/R1B1R1K1 w - - 2 20

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