Chess Puzzle #3BerV — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2062 · Expert · equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rooks a1/f1; bishops b2/g2; knight b1; pawns a3/b3/c4/f4/h4. Black: king c8; queen f6; rooks d8/e8; bishop h3; knight e2; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxb2 — queen f6→b2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Bxh3+ (bishop g2→h3, captures bishop, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kb8 — king c8→b8. Opponent replies Nc3 (knight b1→c3).
  4. Best move: Qxc3 — queen b2→c3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move Qxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2krr3/ppp3pp/5q2/8/2P2P1P/PP5b/1B2nQB1/RN3RK1 w - - 5 20

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