Chess tactic

Crushing Puzzle (1368)

After the setup move Nc7, it is Black to move. Find the forcing continuation before checking the solution.

Position after Nc7. Black to move.

Puzzle ID

09Bs6

Rating

1368

Side to move

Black

Themes

Crushing, Middlegame, Sacrifice

Material

White is ahead by 2 points

FEN

r3r1k1/ppN2pp1/7p/2p5/3pP1b1/PB1P1q2/1PPQ1P2/R3K1R1 b Q - 2 19

What to look for

Find a move that decisively changes the evaluation, usually by force.

19... Rxe4+ 20. dxe4 20... Qxe4+ 21. Qe3 21... dxe3

The full forcing line from the source position is:

19. Nc7 19... Rxe4+ 20. dxe4 20... Qxe4+ 21. Qe3 21... dxe3