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

Rating 1901 · Advanced · advantage, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen f4; rooks a1/h1; bishop c3; knight g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/e3/f3/g3/h5. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks a8/e8; bishop g4; knight c4; pawns a7/b6/c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e3→e4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bxf3 — bishop g4→f3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nxf3 (knight g1→f3, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Rxe4+ — rook e8→e4, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Rxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/p1p3pp/1p6/3q3P/2n2Qb1/2B1PPP1/PPP5/R3K1NR w KQ - 3 25

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