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

Rating 1847 · Advanced · defensive move, deflection, equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e7; bishop f4; knight c7; pawns a2/b2/c4/d6/f2/h2/h4. Black: king d8; rooks c8/h8; bishop g2; knights a5/d7; pawns a7/b6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxg2 — king g1→g2, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c8→c7, captures knight. Opponent replies dxc7+ (pawn d6→c7, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxe7 — king d8→e7, captures rook. Opponent replies Re1+ (rook a1→e1, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kf6 — king e7→f6.

Tactical themes

defensive move, deflection, equality, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rk3r/p1NnRpp1/1p1P3p/n7/2P2B1P/8/PP3PbP/R5K1 w - - 0 20

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