Chess Puzzle #1fI81 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1550 · Intermediate · defensive move, endgame, equality, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen b5; rook e1; bishop e3; pawns a4/b2/c3/f2. Black: king b8; queen h3; rook d8; knight a5; pawns b6/c7/g5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb6 — bishop e3→b6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: cxb6 — pawn c7→b6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxb6+ (queen b5→b6, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Nb7 — knight a5→b7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, short. The key move cxb6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r4/2p5/1p5p/nQ4p1/P7/2P1B2q/1P3P2/2K1R3 w - - 0 33

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