Chess Puzzle #eq4tX — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2447 · Master · capturing the defender, crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks d1/f1; bishop c4; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/c2/e3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks a8/f8; bishop g6; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc2 — bishop g6→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf7 — knight g5→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxd1 (bishop c2→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Nxe5 — knight f7→e5, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxe2 (bishop d1→e2, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Bxe6+ — bishop c4→e6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Bxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn3rk1/pp3ppp/2p1p1b1/4q1N1/2B5/4P3/PPP1Q1PP/3R1RK1 b - - 1 16

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