Chess Puzzle #3j0Wl — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1392 · Intermediate · advanced pawn, advantage, fork, master, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/b2; bishops d6/g2; pawns a2/c3/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks c8/f8; bishops a6/g7; pawns a7/d4/d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf8 — bishop d6→f8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: dxc3 — pawn d4→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxg7 (bishop f8→g7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: cxd2 — pawn c3→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, fork, master, middlegame, short. The key move dxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/p4pbp/b2Bp1p1/q2p4/3p4/2P3P1/PR1QPPBP/R5K1 w - - 0 18

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