Chess Puzzle #9pqTM — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1668 · Advanced · attraction, equality, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king e2; rooks a1/g1; bishops b7/e5; knight d3; pawns a3/d4/e3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; rooks d8/f8; bishops e7/g6; knight e6; pawns a5/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bg3 — bishop e5→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bxd3+ — bishop g6→d3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd3 (king e2→d3, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Nc5+ — knight e6→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d3→e2).
  4. Best move: Nxb7 — knight c5→b7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

attraction, equality, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Bxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/1B2b1pp/4npb1/p3B3/3P2P1/P2NP2P/4KP2/R5R1 w - - 0 23

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