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

Rating 2018 · Expert · crushing, endgame, hanging piece, master, short.

Position

White: king a3; rook b1; pawns a5/c4/g4/h2. Black: king f7; knight c5; pawns b7/d6/e5/e7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook b1→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxb7 — knight c5→b7, captures rook. Opponent replies a6 (pawn a5→a6).
  3. Best move: Na5 — knight b7→a5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, master, short. The key move Nxb7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p2pk1p/3p2p1/P1n1p3/2P3P1/K7/7P/1R6 w - - 4 39

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