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

Rating 1549 · Intermediate · equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen e2; rooks d1/h1; bishops c4/e3; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h4. Black: king h8; queen b6; rooks a8/e8; bishop e5; knight c3; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb6 — bishop e3→b6, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxe2+ — knight c3→e2, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe2 (bishop c4→e2, captures knight).
  3. Best move: axb6 — pawn a7→b6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Nxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r2k/pp4p1/1qp4p/4b3/2B1p2P/P1n1B3/1P2QPP1/2KR3R w - - 0 26

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