Chess Puzzle #0RQXz — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 852 · Beginner · advantage, exposed king, kingside attack, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rook h1; bishops c4/e3; knights d5/g5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen f8; rook a8; bishops c8/g7; knights g4/h7; pawns a7/b7/e6/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exd5 — pawn e6→d5, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxd5+ — bishop c4→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Nf7+ — knight g5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen f8→f7, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Bxf7 — bishop d5→f7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Bxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2qk1/pp4bn/4p1p1/3N2Np/2B3nP/3PB3/PPPQ2P1/2K4R b - - 0 17

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