Chess Puzzle #099hE — Beginner, Black to move, opening

Rating 1178 · Beginner · advantage, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen h3; rooks d1/h1; bishops b3/e3; knights b5/e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f2/h6. Black: king f7; queen c6; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/f6; knights c4/e8; pawns a5/b4/d6/e6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc4 — bishop b3→c4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc4 — queen c6→c4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxd6+ (knight b5→d6, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Nxd6 — knight e8→d6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1nr2/5k1p/2qppbpP/pN6/1pn1P3/1B2B2Q/PPP1NP2/2KR3R w - - 2 21

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