Chess Puzzle #5KxAl — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2346 · Expert · advantage, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishop f1; knight a3; pawns a2/b3/c4/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen b6; rooks b8/h8; bishop d7; knight d4; pawns a6/d6/e5/f6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc2 — knight a3→c2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxb3 — queen b6→b3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen d2→d4, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qb1+ — queen b3→b1, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, short. The key move Qxb3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r2k2r/3b1p1p/pq1p1p2/4p3/2PnP3/NP6/P2Q1PPP/2KR1B1R w k - 1 18

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