Chess Puzzle #JrGs3 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1822 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook a1; bishop c1; knights c3/e5; pawns a2/b2/d2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop d5; knight d6; pawns a7/b6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bc4 — bishop d5→c4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc4 — knight e5→c4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxc4 (knight d6→c4, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxc4 — queen d3→c4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/p4ppp/1p1n4/3bN3/8/2NQ3P/PP1P2P1/R1B3K1 b - - 5 19

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