Chess Puzzle #jOhxD — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2011 · Expert · equality, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a8/e1; knight h7; pawns a2/b3/e6/g3/h4. Black: king d7; rooks b6/d5; bishop a6; knight b5; pawns a5/d4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe6 — rook b6→e6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nf8+ — knight h7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d7→c7).
  3. Best move: Nxe6+ — knight f8→e6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies fxe6 (pawn f7→e6, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Rxa6 — rook a8→a6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Nxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: R7/3k1ppN/br2P2p/pn1r4/3p3P/1P4P1/P7/4R1K1 b - - 0 47

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