Chess Puzzle #YNfYQ — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1953 · Advanced · advantage, attraction, fork, long, opening, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/d3; knight d4; pawns a2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks c8/f8; bishop g4; knights d7/e4; pawns a7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc6 — knight d4→c6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c8→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen a6→c6, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Ne5 — knight d7→e5. Opponent replies Bxe4 (bishop d3→e4, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, fork, long, opening, sacrifice. The key move Rxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rq1rk1/p2n1ppp/Q7/3p4/3Nn1b1/3BP3/P4PPP/R1B2RK1 w - - 5 18

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