Chess Puzzle #jsp5I — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2618 · Master · defensive move, equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen c1; rooks f1/g3; knight e3; pawns e5/f5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks d3/e8; bishop c8; pawns a6/b5/c4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bb7 — bishop c8→b7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: f6 — pawn f5→f6. Opponent replies Rxe5 (rook e8→e5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g3→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  4. Best move: Nc2 — knight e3→c2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move Rxg7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2b1r1k1/5ppp/p7/1p2PP2/2p5/3rN1R1/q5PP/2Q2RK1 b - - 4 38

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