Chess Puzzle #I5lst — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2022 · Expert · advanced pawn, advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king e1; queen c3; rooks a1/g1; bishop e2; knights f3/f5; pawns a3/b2/c4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e4; bishop h5; knight f2; pawns a7/b7/e3/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ng5 — knight f3→g5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd2+ — queen d8→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd2 (queen c3→d2, captures queen).
  3. Best move: exd2+ — pawn e3→d2, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf2 (king e1→f2, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Rxe2+ — rook e4→e2, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame, pin. The key move exd2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q2k1/pp4pp/5p2/5N1b/2P1r3/P1Q1pN1P/1P2BnP1/R3K1R1 w Q - 0 25

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