Chess Puzzle #C9ETA — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1972 · Advanced · equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/f1; bishop c4; knights b1/f5; pawns a4/d2/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/f8; bishop b4; knight c5; pawns a5/b7/c6/e4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ng3 — knight f5→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxa1 — queen f6→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies Nc3 (knight b1→c3).
  3. Best move: Qa3 — queen a1→a3.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1p3ppp/2p2q2/p1n2N2/PbB1p3/4P2P/2QP1PP1/RN3RK1 w - - 0 16

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