Chess Puzzle #9OLDe — Expert, White to move, opening

Rating 2034 · Expert · equality, hanging piece, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen e2; rooks a1/h1; bishops c4/f4; knights c3/g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops b4/c8; knights c6/e4; pawns a7/b7/c7/d7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: O-O — king e8→g8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen e2→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Re8 (rook f8→e8).
  3. Best move: Be5 — bishop f4→e5.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, opening, short. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bqk2r/pppp1ppp/2n5/8/1bBPnB2/2N5/PPP1Q1PP/R3K1NR b KQkq - 1 7

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