Chess Puzzle #8Z7xC — Master, Black to move, opening

Rating 2409 · Master · advantage, opening, short, trapped piece.

Position

White: king e1; queen e6; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/c4; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/g7; knights d7/g8; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/e7/g4/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ne5 — knight d7→e5. Opponent replies Qxe5 (queen e6→e5, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Bxe5 — bishop g7→e5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, opening, short, trapped piece. The key move is Ne5.

Position data

FEN: r1bqk1nr/pp1np1b1/2p1Q2p/3p4/2BP2p1/2N2N2/PPP2PPP/R1B1K2R w KQkq - 0 10

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