Chess Puzzle #ZX7Ei — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2094 · Expert · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rooks a1/e1; knights c3/g5; pawns a2/b2/c4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop b7; knight d5; pawns a7/b6/c6/d7/f5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: cxd5 — pawn c6→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qh4 (queen d4→h4).
  3. Best move: h5 — pawn h7→h5.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move cxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pb1p1p1p/1pp3p1/3nPpN1/2PQ4/2N5/PP3PPP/R3R1K1 w - - 0 18

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