Chess Puzzle #1Vacj — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1454 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen c6; rooks d1/e1; bishop b5; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f6; queen a5; rooks b8/f8; bishop c5; knight g6; pawns a7/d6/e5/f5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd6+ — rook d1→d6, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bxd6 — bishop c5→d6, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd6+ (queen c6→d6, captures bishop, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg7 — king f6→g7.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Bxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r3r2/p7/2Qp1knp/qBb1pp2/8/5N2/PPP2PPP/2KRR3 w - - 5 21

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