Chess Puzzle #AX7KS — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2091 · Expert · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/e2; knight a4; pawns a2/b4/c2/d4/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen d6; rooks f8/g8; bishop d7; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/e4/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ba3 — bishop c1→a3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bxa4 — bishop d7→a4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qc3 (queen d2→c3).
  3. Best move: b5 — pawn b7→b5.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Bxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rr1/pppbk3/3q1n1p/3p2p1/NP1Pp3/8/P1PQB1PP/R1B1R1K1 w - - 3 19

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