Chess Puzzle #8bL4M — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1562 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king e1; rook f3; knight c5; pawns a4/b3/d4/g3. Black: king g8; rook b2; knight e4; pawns a5/b4/c6/f5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf5 — rook f3→f5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b2→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king e1→e2).
  3. Best move: Nxg3+ — knight e4→g3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Nxg3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/8/2p5/p1N2p2/Pp1Pn3/1P3RP1/1r6/4K3 w - - 10 45

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