Chess Puzzle #8Ijn9 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1904 · Advanced · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f1; queen g3; rooks e1/h1; bishop e2; knight d1; pawns a2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks d8/f8; bishop e6; knight g4; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxa2 — queen b2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxg4 — bishop e2→g4, captures knight. Opponent replies Bc4+ (bishop e6→c4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg1 — king f1→g1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Bxg4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/1p3pp1/p3b2p/8/4P1n1/6Q1/Pq2BPPP/3NRK1R b - - 1 21

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