Chess Puzzle #9ByBn — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1644 · Advanced · equality, hanging piece, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen b1; rooks a1/f1; bishop d3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen g5; rooks a8/f8; bishop b4; knight f3; pawns a7/b6/c7/d5/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxh2 — knight f3→h2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxh2 — king h1→h2, captures knight. Opponent replies Qh4+ (queen g5→h4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg1 — king h2→g1. Opponent replies Bd6 (bishop b4→d6).
  4. Best move: g3 — pawn g2→g3.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Kxh2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/p1p2pp1/1p6/3p2q1/1b6/2NB1n2/PP3PPP/RQ3R1K b - - 1 16

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