Chess Puzzle #HMQ1T — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1978 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f2; bishops c5/d3; knight e5; pawns a3/b3/c2/e3/f4/h2. Black: king g8; queen h5; rooks a8/e8; bishop g4; pawns a6/b7/d5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g6→g5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxg4 — knight e5→g4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxg4+ (queen h5→g4, captures knight, gives check).
  3. Best move: Rg2 — rook f2→g2.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxg4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/1p3p1p/p5p1/2BpN2q/5Pb1/PP1BP3/2P2R1P/R5K1 b - - 1 23

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