Chess Puzzle #pMMG3 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1981 · Advanced · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short, trapped piece.

Position

White: king g3; rook h2; bishop c2; knights f6/g4; pawns b4/c4/d5. Black: king c8; rooks a1/h8; bishop h7; knight g5; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg1+ — rook a1→g1, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kf4 — king g3→f4. Opponent replies Ne6+ (knight g5→e6, gives check).
  3. Best move: dxe6 — pawn d5→e6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short, trapped piece. The key move is Kf4.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/1pp2p1b/p2p1Np1/3P2n1/1PP3N1/6K1/2B4R/r7 b - - 1 38

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