Chess Puzzle #Lv3i7 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1485 · Intermediate · advantage, attraction, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king b1; queen e3; rooks d1/h1; bishop d3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen a4; rooks a8/b8; knight e5; pawns a7/c7/d6/f6/f7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf5 — bishop d3→f5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb2+ — rook b8→b2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb2 (king b1→b2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Nc4+ — knight e5→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b2→a1).
  4. Best move: Nxe3 — knight c4→e3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxb2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rr6/p1p2pk1/3p1p1p/3Pn3/q7/3BQ2P/PPP2PP1/1K1R3R w - - 9 21

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