Chess Puzzle #Rd5gX — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2747 · Master · crushing, exposed king, kingside attack, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen b3; rook b6; bishops d2/g2; knight e4; pawns c4/d3/e2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen h5; rook f8; bishop f5; knight g4; pawns c6/d6/e5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd6 — knight e4→d6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf2+ — knight g4→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  3. Best move: Nxh3+ — knight f2→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxh3 (bishop g2→h3, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Qxh3 — queen h5→h3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Nxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/6p1/1Rpp3p/4pb1q/2P1N1n1/1Q1P2PP/3BP1B1/7K w - - 1 28

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