Chess Puzzle #h12D9 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2223 · Expert · crushing, fork, long, middlegame, quiet move.

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/c4/d3/e4/f2/f5/h2. Black: king c8; queen h5; rook d8; bishop h6; knight f3; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/e5/f6/h3. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh6 — bishop c1→h6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rg8 — rook d8→g8. Opponent replies Rg1 (rook f1→g1).
  3. Best move: Rxg1+ — rook g8→g1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg1 (queen d1→g1, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Nxg1 — knight f3→g1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move Rxg1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/ppp5/3p1p1b/4pP1q/2P1P3/3P1n1p/PP3P1P/R1BQ1R1K w - - 2 21

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