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

Rating 2072 · Expert · equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks d3/e2; bishop f4; pawns a4/b4/c3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king f7; queen c4; rooks e7/e8; knight e4; pawns a6/c6/f6/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rde3 — rook d3→e3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e4→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxe7+ (rook e3→e7, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Rxe7 — rook e8→e7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe7+ (rook e2→e7, captures rook, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxe7 — king f7→e7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move Nxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/4rkp1/p1p2p2/8/PPqPnB2/2PR3P/2Q1R1P1/6K1 w - - 4 33

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