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

Rating 1717 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks c1/d1; knight d4; pawns a4/b2/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook d8; bishop c4; knight d6; pawns a5/b7/e6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook c1→c4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc4 — knight d6→c4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen e2→c4, captures knight).
  3. Best move: e5 — pawn e6→e5.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1p3p1p/3npqp1/p7/P1bNP3/5P2/1P2Q1PP/2RR2K1 w - - 1 28

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