Chess Puzzle #9d5xk — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1522 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks a1/e5; bishops c4/g5; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops d6/g4; knight f6; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop g5→f6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf6 — queen d8→f6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Ne4 (knight c3→e4).
  3. Best move: Qxe5 — queen f6→e5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/p4ppp/2Qb1n2/4R1B1/2B3b1/2NP4/PPP2PPP/R5K1 w - - 1 14

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