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

Rating 979 · Beginner · crushing, deflection, master, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen c2; rooks d1/h1; bishop g5; pawns b2/d3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen a4; rooks a8/f8; pawns b3/b7/c7/f5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc4 — queen c2→c4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a4→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
  3. Best move: Qxb2+ — queen a1→b2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, master, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The key move Qxb2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1pp2ppp/8/5pB1/q6P/1p1P4/1PQ2PP1/2KR3R w - - 0 20

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