Chess Puzzle #s7lLL — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2361 · Expert · defensive move, equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks d1/f1; bishops c3/c6; knight g3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen h4; rooks d8/h8; bishop c5; knights d7/f6; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd7+ — bishop c6→d7, captures knight, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd7 — knight f6→d7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nf5 (knight g3→f5).
  3. Best move: exf5 — pawn e6→f5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rfe1+ (rook f1→e1, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kf8 — king e8→f8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move Nxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3rk2r/p2n1ppp/1pB1pn2/2b5/7q/1QB3NP/PP3PP1/3R1RK1 w k - 1 21

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