Chess Puzzle #pjWeB — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2535 · Master · attraction, crushing, discovered attack, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice.

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishop f1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/d5/f4/g2/h5. Black: king g7; queen d8; rooks b8/h8; knight b4; pawns a7/c5/d6/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: hxg6 — pawn h5→g6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxa2+ — knight b4→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
  3. Best move: Rxb2+ — rook b8→b2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb2 (king b1→b2, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qb6+ — queen d8→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa2 (king b2→a2, captures knight).
  5. Best move: Qa6+ — queen b6→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king a2→b2).
  6. Best move: Rb8+ — rook h8→b8, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, discovered attack, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, very long. The key move Nxa2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1q3r/p3ppkp/3p2p1/2pP3P/1n3P2/3P4/PPPQ2P1/2KR1B1R w - - 1 20

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