Chess Puzzle #NYXVB — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2282 · Expert · crushing, endgame, exposed king, long.

Position

White: king f1; queen b1; knight d8; pawns a4/b7/c5/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e3; bishop d4; pawns c6/d5/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen b1→c2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen e3→f3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king f1→e1).
  3. Best move: Bc3+ — bishop d4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen c2→c3, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen f3→c3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Qxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3N2k1/1P3p2/2p3pp/2Pp4/P2b4/4qPP1/7P/1Q3K2 w - - 2 37

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