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

Rating 2434 · Master · crushing, endgame, hanging piece, knight endgame, long, quiet move.

Position

White: king e3; knight e8; pawns b4/c3/f5/g4/h3. Black: king e5; knight c5; pawns a5/d5/f6/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: bxc5 — pawn b4→c5, captures knight. Opponent replies a3 (pawn a4→a3).
  3. Best move: Nd6 — knight e8→d6. Opponent replies d4+ (pawn d5→d4, gives check).
  4. Best move: cxd4+ — pawn c3→d4, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, knight endgame, long, quiet move. The key move cxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4N3/8/5p1p/p1npkPp1/1P4P1/2P1K2P/8/8 b - - 0 39

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