Chess Puzzle #IUEJw — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1511 · Intermediate · equality, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; rooks b1/e1; knight f5; pawns a2/d5/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king b7; queen g5; rooks d8/e8; knight e5; pawns a6/b5/c7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc5 — queen a3→c5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf3+ — knight e5→f3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Nxe1 — knight f3→e1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Nxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr3/1kp3p1/p6p/1p1PnNq1/4P3/Q4P2/P5PP/1R2R1K1 w - - 1 26

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