Chess Puzzle #2CsWZ — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2454 · Master · crushing, defensive move, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f2; queen d2; rooks g1/h1; bishop b1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d5. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks c8/f8; bishop f5; pawns a6/b5/d6/e4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exf3 — pawn e4→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxf5 — bishop b1→f5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qb6+ (queen d8→b6, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kf1 — king f2→f1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move Bxf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rq1rk1/6pp/p2p4/1p1P1b2/4p3/2P2N2/PP1Q1K2/1B4RR b - - 0 23

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