Chess Puzzle #BtEuq — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2542 · Master · equality, hanging piece, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop b2; knights d2/f3; pawns a3/b3/c2/f2/f5/h4. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks a8/e8; bishop d6; knights b8/d3; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re4 — rook e8→e4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: cxd3 — pawn c2→d3, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxh4+ (rook e4→h4, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Nxh4 — knight f3→h4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxh4+ (queen h6→h4, captures knight, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kg2 — king h1→g2.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move cxd3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rn2r1k1/ppp2ppp/3b3q/3p1P2/7P/PP1n1N2/1BPN1P2/R2Q1R1K b - - 1 20

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