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

Rating 1971 · Advanced · crushing, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks a1/e1; bishop d2; knight e5; pawns a2/b4/c5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h5; rooks a8/f6; bishop b7; knight f5; pawns a6/b5/c7/d7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd7 — knight e5→d7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rg6 — rook f6→g6. Opponent replies c6 (pawn c5→c6).
  3. Best move: Bxc6 — bishop b7→c6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nf6+ (knight d7→f6, gives check).
  4. Best move: Rxf6 — rook g6→f6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is Rg6.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1bpp2p1/p4r1p/1pP1Nn1q/1P6/2Q5/P2B1PPP/R3R1K1 w - - 1 23

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