Chess Puzzle #HR9ZV — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1704 · Advanced · equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook c3; bishop c4; knights d4/e7; pawns a2/b4/e3/g2/h2. Black: king b6; rooks c7/d8; bishop d5; knight d3; pawns a6/e4/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook c7→c4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd5+ — knight e7→d5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd5 (rook d8→d5, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rxc4 — rook c3→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/2r1N2p/pk3p2/3b4/1PBNp3/2RnP3/P5PP/6K1 b - - 8 32

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