Chess Puzzle #08XYJ — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1235 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop c4; knight f3; pawns a2/b4/c5/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks a8/f8; bishop c6; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd3 — bishop c4→d3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bxf3 — bishop c6→f3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxf3 (queen e2→f3, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxd3 — queen g6→d3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Bxf3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp3pp1/2b1pnq1/2P4p/1PB5/4PN1P/P3QPP1/R4RK1 w - - 1 18

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