Chess Puzzle #9wQio — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1500 · Intermediate · advantage, deflection, fork, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e1; bishop e3; pawns a6/b4/c4/f2/h2/h4. Black: king b6; rook d3; bishops c6/d6; knight f4; pawns a7/c5/e5/f6/g4/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ng2 — knight f4→g2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: bxc5+ — pawn b4→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc5 (bishop d6→c5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Reb1+ — rook e1→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b6→c7).
  4. Best move: Bxc5 — bishop e3→c5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, fork, long, middlegame. The key move bxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p6p/Pkbb1p2/2p1p3/1PP2npP/3rB3/5P1P/R3R1K1 b - - 0 32

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