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

Rating 1872 · Advanced · capturing the defender, defensive move, equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks a1/d1; bishop b2; knight f3; pawns a4/b4/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen e7; rooks c4/d8; bishops f5/g7; knight d6; pawns a7/e5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g6→g5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd6 — rook d1→d6, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd6 (rook d8→d6, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxc4 — queen a6→c4, captures rook. Opponent replies g4 (pawn g5→g4).
  4. Best move: Ne1 — knight f3→e1.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/p3q1bk/Q2n2pp/4pb2/PPr5/2P2N2/1B3PPP/R2R2K1 b - - 3 22

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