Chess Puzzle #K9n9R — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2311 · Expert · endgame, equality, long.

Position

White: king g2; knights d5/f3; pawns b4/e4/f6/g5/h4. Black: king g8; rook f7; bishop c1; pawns a6/b7/d6/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies gxh5 (pawn g6→h5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: g6 — pawn g5→g6. Opponent replies Rxf6 (rook f7→f6, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight d5→f6, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, long. The key move Nxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p3r1p/p2p1Pp1/3Np1P1/1P2P2P/5N2/6K1/2b5 b - - 0 38

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