Chess Puzzle #mrssr — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2039 · Expert · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rooks a1/f1; bishop g4; knights a3/h4; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c7; rooks d8/h8; bishops e7/g6; knight b4; pawns a7/b7/e6/f6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nb5 — knight a3→b5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxc7+ (knight b5→c7, captures queen, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kd7 — king e8→d7. Opponent replies Nxg6 (knight h4→g6, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: hxg6 — pawn h7→g6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3rk2r/ppq1b2p/4ppb1/8/1nPQ2BN/N7/PP3PPP/R4RK1 w k - 1 17

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