Chess Puzzle #dxz4j — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1903 · Advanced · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks c1/e1; bishop d3; knights c3/f5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen g5; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; knights d7/g4; pawns a6/b7/c6/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re7 — rook e1→e7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen g5→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nd1 (knight c3→d1).
  3. Best move: Ndf6 — knight d7→f6.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2k1r/1p1n4/p1p5/5Nqp/3P2n1/2NB1Q2/PPP2PPP/2R1R1K1 w - - 3 19

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