Chess Puzzle #bbY1y — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2531 · Master · equality, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks a1/d1; bishop c1; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/d4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks a8/f8; bishop d6; knight f4; pawns a7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nh4 — knight f3→h4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nh3+ — knight f4→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  3. Best move: Qc2 — queen g6→c2.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Nh3+.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pQ3ppp/2pbp1q1/4P3/3P1n2/P4N2/1P3PPP/R1BR2K1 w - - 1 17

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