Chess Puzzle #DZqVx — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1461 · Intermediate · advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks d1/f1; bishops b3/c5; pawns a3/b2/c3/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rooks d8/e8; knights d3/h7; pawns b5/b7/c6/f4/f6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook d1→d2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc5 — knight d3→c5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook d2→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd8 — rook e8→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3rr2k/1p5n/2p2p1p/1pB5/4Pp2/PBPn1P2/1P4PP/3R1R1K w - - 1 25

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