Chess Puzzle #1b79y — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1205 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook f1; bishops a3/b5; pawns a2/c4/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rook e8; bishop e4; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/c7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen d7→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d2→d4, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxd4 (knight c6→d4, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Bxe8 — bishop b5→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p1pq1ppp/1pn5/1B6/2PPb3/B6P/P2Q1PP1/5RK1 b - - 0 21

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