Chess Puzzle #1mIQ4 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1983 · Advanced · advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen g3; rooks a1/h1; bishops d3/e3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/f8; bishops a5/c8; pawns a6/d5/d7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc3+ — bishop a5→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc3+ (queen c7→c3, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ke2 — king e1→e2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move bxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/2qp1ppp/p3p3/b2pP3/5P2/2PBB1Q1/PP4PP/R3K2R b KQ - 6 14

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