Chess Puzzle #CTVzr — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2223 · Expert · clearance, crushing, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen e1; rook a1; bishop b2; knights e2/e6; pawns a2/b3/c2/d3/f5/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen f3; rooks e8/f8; bishop e7; knight f6; pawns a6/b5/c5/d6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxf8 — knight e6→f8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxg4+ — knight f6→g4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies hxg4 (pawn h3→g4, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Bh4 — bishop e7→h4.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The key move Nxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/4b1pp/p2pNn2/1pp2P2/6P1/1P1P1q1P/PBP1N2K/R3Q3 w - - 0 23

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