Chess Puzzle #bd37I — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2437 · Master · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e1; rooks a1/f5; bishop c1; knights c3/e4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d7; rooks a8/h8; bishop g7; knight g8; pawns a6/b7/c5/d5/e5/f7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f5→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kxf7 — king e8→f7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qf2+ (queen e1→f2, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ke8 — king f7→e8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Kxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3k1nr/1p1q1pbp/p7/2pppR2/4N3/2NP4/PPP3PP/R1B1Q1K1 w kq - 0 16

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