Chess Puzzle #2xkLx — Intermediate, White to move, opening

Rating 1229 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/e1; bishops d3/e3; knights c3/g5; pawns a3/b2/c4/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c8; rooks a8/e8; bishops f5/f6; knights b6/c6; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd3 — bishop f5→d3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxd3 — queen c2→d3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Bxg5 (bishop f6→g5, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Bxg5 — bishop e3→g5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxd3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1q1r1k1/1pp2ppp/pnnp1b2/5bN1/2PP4/P1NBB2P/1PQ2PP1/R3R1K1 b - - 4 15

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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