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

Rating 1315 · Intermediate · crushing, deflection, endgame, short.

Position

White: king b2; queen g6; bishop f6; pawns a2/b3/c2/f4/g5. Black: king c7; queen b4; knight d7; pawns a4/b6/c4/d6/f5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bc3 — bishop f6→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a3+ — pawn a4→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b2→c1).
  3. Best move: Qxc3 — queen b4→c3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is a3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/2kn4/1p1p1BQ1/5pP1/pqp2P2/1P6/PKP5/8 w - - 0 39

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