Chess Puzzle #4la1L — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1005 · Beginner · advantage, hanging piece, master, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rook d1; bishops c5/g2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook a8; bishop c8; knights f6/g4; pawns a7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc6 — bishop g2→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc6 — queen c7→c6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rd8+ (rook d1→d8, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ne8 — knight f6→e8.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, master, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/p1q2ppp/2p1pn2/2B5/6n1/1QN3P1/PP2PPBP/3R2K1 w - - 1 17

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