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

Rating 2373 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, long, master, middlegame.

Position

White: king c1; queen c4; rooks d1/g1; knights e4/h3; pawns b3/c2/d3/e3/f2/h6. Black: king h8; queen a2; rooks f3/f8; knights b4/e6; pawns a7/b7/e5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nhg5 — knight h3→g5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f3→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nxf2 (knight e4→f2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f8→f2, captures knight. Opponent replies Qc8+ (queen c4→c8, gives check).
  4. Best move: Nf8 — knight e6→f8.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, master, middlegame. The key move Rxf2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/pp5p/4n1pP/4p3/1nQ1N3/1P1PPr1N/q1P2P2/2KR2R1 w - - 2 29

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