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

Rating 1231 · Intermediate · crushing, double check, master, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king d2; rooks a1/c1; bishop e2; knights a4/h4; pawns b2/b5/e3/f5/g4/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b8/d8; bishops b3/d6; pawns b7/c6/d4/e4/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc6 — pawn b5→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bb4+ — bishop d6→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Nc3 (knight a4→c3).
  3. Best move: dxc3+ — pawn d4→c3, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, double check, master, middlegame, short. The key move dxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1r2k1/1p4pp/2pb1p2/1P3P2/N2pp1PN/1b2P3/1P1KB2P/R1R5 w - - 0 25

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