Chess Puzzle #msSj7 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2025 · Expert · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen e2; rooks g6/h1; bishop d3; knights e5/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e3/f2/h3. Black: king f8; queen e7; rook a8; bishops d6/e6; knights e4/f6; pawns a4/b7/c6/d5/f5/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg2 — rook g6→g2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b2→b3).
  3. Best move: Nc3 — knight e4→c3.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is a3.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/1p2q2p/2pbbnR1/3pNp2/p2Pn3/3BPN1P/PPP1QP2/2K4R w - - 1 18

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