Chess Puzzle #4i2XO — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1184 · Beginner · advantage, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c8; rooks e1/h1; bishop e3; knight d2; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen a4; rooks c2/h8; bishop f8; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight c6→e5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bc5+ — bishop e3→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc5 (rook c2→c5, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen c8→c5, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2Q2b1r/p3kppp/2n2n2/8/q7/4B3/P1rN1PPP/4R1KR b - - 1 18

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