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

Rating 2015 · Expert · equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen g3; rooks a1/h1; bishop d3; knights f2/f5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e5/g5. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a7/e8; bishops c8/g7; knights f4/f8; pawns a5/b4/c6/d5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxg7 — knight f5→g7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd3+ — knight f4→d3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd3 (knight f2→d3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rxg7 — rook a7→g7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2bqrnk1/r5b1/2p5/p2pPNP1/1p1P1n2/3B2Q1/PPP2N2/R3K2R w KQ - 0 25

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