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

Rating 2158 · Expert · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/d2; bishop b2; knights e4/f3; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks e8/f8; bishop b4; knights c6/f4; pawns a7/b6/c7/e6/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd2 — bishop b4→d2, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: dxc6 — pawn d5→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen d7→c6, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Nexd2 — knight e4→d2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move dxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/p1pq2pp/1pn1pp2/3P4/1bP1Nn2/1P3N2/PB1R1PPP/R2Q2K1 b - - 2 16

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