Chess Puzzle #02eFM — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1078 · Beginner · crushing, master, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen e4; rooks d1/h1; bishops f1/g3; pawns b2/c2/e2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen a2; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d4/g5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd3 — rook d1→d3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
  3. Best move: Bb4+ — bishop f8→b4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, master, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The key move is Qa1+.

Position data

FEN: r4b1r/ppp2k2/2n4p/6p1/3pQ3/6B1/qPP1PPPP/2KR1B1R w - - 0 17

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