Chess Puzzle #3Xdgd — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1238 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rook a1; bishop e3; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/d3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king f7; rooks a8/e8; bishop f6; knights b6/d4; pawns a7/b7/c5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd4 — bishop e3→d4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop f6→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen f2→d4, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: cxd4 — pawn c5→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Bxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r3/pp3k1p/1n3bp1/2p5/3n1P2/3PB3/PP3QPP/RN4K1 w - - 0 20

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