Chess Puzzle #rtO1A — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1905 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks b1/f1; bishops e2/f4; knights c3/c6; pawns a2/b2/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks b8/f8; bishops c8/g7; knights c5/f6; pawns d6/e5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxb8 — knight c6→b8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: exf4 — pawn e5→f4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nc6 (knight b8→c6).
  3. Best move: Qxc6 — queen b6→c6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move exf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1rb2rk1/5pbp/1qNp1np1/2n1p3/5B2/2N1P2P/PP2BPP1/1R1Q1RK1 w - - 2 17

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