Chess Puzzle #VPc94 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1833 · Advanced · advantage, discovered attack, long, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/f7; bishop c1; knights b6/g5; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen d6; rooks d8/h8; bishop f8; knights e5/g6; pawns a6/b7/c5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxb7+ — rook f7→b7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb7 (king b8→b7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Nc4+ — knight b6→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b7→c7).
  4. Best move: Nxd6 — knight c4→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, long, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice. The key move Rxb7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r1b1r/1p3Rpp/pN1q2n1/2p1n1N1/8/1Q6/PP4PP/R1B3K1 b - - 5 20

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