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

Rating 2028 · Expert · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight g5; pawns a2/c3/d4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; knights a6/b6; pawns a7/b7/c5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxh7 — knight g5→h7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kxh7 — king g8→h7, captures knight. Opponent replies Qh3+ (queen d3→h3, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg8 — king h7→g8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Kxh7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pp3p1p/nn2p1p1/2p1P1N1/3P4/2PQ4/P4PPP/R1B2RK1 w - - 0 14

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