Chess Puzzle #A9ffa — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1562 · Intermediate · equality, kingside attack, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook a1; bishops c1/d3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f6; bishops e7/g4; pawns a7/c6/c7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxg4 — queen e4→g4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bc5+ — bishop e7→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Be3 (bishop c1→e3).
  3. Best move: Bxe3+ — bishop c5→e3, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, kingside attack, middlegame, short. The key move Bxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q2k1/p1p1b1p1/2p2r1p/8/4Q1b1/2NB4/PPP3PP/R1B3K1 w - - 0 16

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