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

Rating 1416 · Intermediate · advantage, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king b1; queen b7; rooks d1/h1; bishop c6; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f3/g4/h2. Black: king f8; queen e7; rooks d8/h8; bishops c3/e6; pawns d6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxb7+ — queen e7→b7, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Bxb7 (bishop c6→b7, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rb8 — rook d8→b8. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b1→c1).
  4. Best move: Rxb7 — rook b8→b7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxb7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k1r/1Q2qpp1/2Bpb2p/8/4P1P1/2b2P2/PPP4P/1K1R3R w - - 1 20

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