Chess Puzzle #QyTxc — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2607 · Master · crushing, long, middlegame, quiet move.

Position

White: king a2; queen d3; rook f7; bishops g2/g7; pawns a4/b3/c2/d2/g4/h3. Black: king c8; queen c1; rook d8; bishop a3; knight c5; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxg6 — queen d3→g6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Na6 — knight c5→a6. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b3→b4).
  3. Best move: Nxb4+ — knight a6→b4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb3 (king a2→b3).
  4. Best move: Qb1+ — queen c1→b1, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move Nxb4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/pp3RB1/2p3p1/2np4/P5P1/bP1Q3P/K1PP2B1/2q5 w - - 4 25

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