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

Rating 1557 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks g1/h1; bishops b3/e3; knights c3/f5; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f3/h4. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops e7/g6; knights a5/h5; pawns b5/d6/e5/f7/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg6 — rook g1→g6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxb3+ — knight a5→b3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies cxb3 (pawn c2→b3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: fxg6 — pawn f7→g6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxb3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/4bpp1/3p2b1/np2pN1n/4P2P/1BN1BP2/PPPQ4/2K3RR w - - 0 19

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