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

Rating 1511 · Intermediate · equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/c1; bishops d6/e2; knight d2; pawns d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rooks b8/c3; bishops e6/g7; knights d7/f6; pawns a6/d5/e4/f5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb8 — bishop d6→b8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c3→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook a1→c1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Nxb8 — knight d7→b8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/3n2b1/p2Bbnpp/3p1p2/3Pp3/2r1P3/3NBPPP/R1R3K1 w - - 0 26

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