Chess Puzzle #c3FNC — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1804 · Advanced · advanced pawn, crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, promotion.

Position

White: king c1; rook d8; knight f5; pawns e4/f3/g4/h7. Black: king a7; knights b2/c5; pawns a5/b3/c3/e5/f6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h8=Q — pawn h7→h8, promotes to queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ncd3+ — knight c5→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd3 (rook d8→d3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Nxd3+ — knight b2→d3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king c1→d1).
  4. Best move: c2+ — pawn c3→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d1→e2).
  5. Best move: c1=Q — pawn c2→c1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, promotion, very long. The key move Nxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/k6P/5p2/p1n1pN2/4P1P1/1pp2P2/1n6/2K5 w - - 2 53

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