Chess Puzzle #k81d8 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1986 · Advanced · crushing, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen e1; rook a1; bishop b2; knights d5/h4; pawns a2/b3/c5/d4/e2/g3/h2. Black: king d7; queen e6; rook h8; bishop f8; knight h3; pawns a7/b6/d6/f5/g4/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf4 — knight d5→f4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe4+ — queen e6→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Nf3 (knight h4→f3).
  3. Best move: Nxf4+ — knight h3→f4, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5b1r/p2k3p/1p1pq3/2PN1p2/3P2pN/1P4Pn/PB2P1KP/R3Q3 w - - 2 24

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