Chess Puzzle #16JGm — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1055 · Beginner · crushing, discovered attack, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen h5; rooks b1/h1; bishops b5/c1; knight g1; pawns a2/c2/d2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen a5; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knights b8/g8; pawns a7/b7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd7 — bishop c8→d7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxd7+ — bishop b5→d7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd7 (knight b8→d7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxa5 — queen h5→a5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, opening, short. The key move Bxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rnb1kbnr/pp2pppp/8/qB5Q/8/8/P1PP1PPP/1RB1K1NR b Kkq - 0 8

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