Chess Puzzle #K59QS — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1972 · Advanced · advantage, clearance, long, master, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rook e1; bishop f4; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/d3/g2/h3. Black: king a8; queen c6; rook e6; bishop f6; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight d2→e4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nc2 — knight d4→c2. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook e1→c1).
  3. Best move: Bd4 — bishop f6→d4. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen f2→d4, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: Nxd4 — knight c2→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, long, master, middlegame, pin. The key move is Nc2.

Position data

FEN: k7/pp4p1/2q1rb1p/8/3n1B2/3P3P/PP1N1QP1/4R1K1 w - - 0 27

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