Chess Puzzle #37abj — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1545 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e4; bishops e5/f1; pawns a4/b2/c5/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks a8/f8; knights b8/h5; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd6 — bishop e5→d6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen d5→e4, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxf8 (bishop d6→f8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Kxf8 — king g8→f8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rn3rk1/pp5p/2p1p1p1/2PqB2n/P2PR3/7P/1P3PP1/R2Q1BK1 w - - 1 21

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