Chess Puzzle #0Q3yy — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 838 · Beginner · advantage, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks b2/h1; bishops d2/f1; pawns a3/c2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen a5; rook h8; bishops c3/c8; knight g8; pawns a7/c6/d7/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop d2→c3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen a5→c3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qd2 (queen d1→d2).
  3. Best move: Qxb2 — queen c3→b2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2b1k1nr/p2ppp1p/2p3p1/q7/4P3/P1b5/1RPB1PPP/3QKB1R w Kk - 0 11

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