Chess Puzzle #4CUku — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1344 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/f1; bishop b2; knight e5; pawns a2/b3/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/f8; bishop f6; knight d5; pawns a7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bxb2 — bishop f6→b2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxb2 (queen c2→b2, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxc6 — queen c7→c6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Bxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p1q2ppp/2p1pb2/3nN3/8/1P4P1/PBQ1PP1P/R4RK1 w - - 6 17

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