Chess Puzzle #9B8F9 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2261 · Expert · crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f1; bishop a7; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2. Black: king c8; rooks d8/h8; bishop d6; knight e5; pawns b7/f6/g4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd4 — bishop a7→d4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies gxf3 (pawn g2→f3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: gxf3 — pawn g4→f3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ne4 (knight c3→e4).
  4. Best move: Bh2+ — bishop d6→h2, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move is Nf3+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/Bp6/3b1p2/4n3/6p1/P1N5/1P3PP1/R4RK1 w - - 1 21

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