Chess Puzzle #2AtXx — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1230 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen a1; rooks a8/d1; knight b4; pawns b5/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen e5; rook b3; bishop d4; pawns c4/d3/e6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc6 — knight b4→c6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bxa1 — bishop d4→a1, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxe5 (knight c6→e5, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Bxe5 — bishop a1→e5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Bxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: R7/5pkp/4p1p1/1P2q3/1NpbP3/1r1p1P2/6PP/Q2R3K w - - 1 39

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