Chess Puzzle #j1lJJ — Expert, Black to move, opening

Rating 2223 · Expert · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/g1; bishops f4/h5; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e3/f2/h4. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops b7/f6; knight d7; pawns a6/b5/c4/e4/e6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxg6 — knight e5→g6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: hxg6 — pawn h7→g6, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxg6 (rook g1→g6, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Ke7 — king e8→e7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move hxg6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qk2r/1b1n3p/p3pbp1/1p2N2B/2pPpB1P/2P1P3/PP3P2/R2QK1R1 w Qkq - 0 16

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