Chess Puzzle #5X08r — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2234 · Expert · advantage, middlegame, trapped piece, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks c1/c2; knights c3/f3; pawns a3/b2/d4/e3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b3; rooks c7/c8; bishops d7/e7; pawns a6/b4/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd2 — knight f3→d2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bb5 — bishop d7→b5. Opponent replies Nxb3 (knight d2→b3, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Bxd3 — bishop b5→d3, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxd5 (knight c3→d5, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Bxc2 — bishop d3→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxe7+ (knight d5→e7, captures bishop, gives check).
  5. Best move: Rxe7 — rook c7→e7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, trapped piece, very long. The key move is Bb5.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2rbbppp/p3p3/3pP3/1p1P4/PqNQPN2/1PR3PP/2R3K1 w - - 0 24

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