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

Rating 1453 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen e2; rooks a1/h1; bishop e3; knights b1/g1; pawns a2/b4/c3/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen a4; rooks d8/h8; bishops c5/e6; knight f6; pawns b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc5 — pawn b4→c5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bc4 — bishop e6→c4. Opponent replies Qd2 (queen e2→d2).
  3. Best move: Rxd2 — rook d8→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Bc4.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/1pp2ppp/4bn2/2b5/qP2P3/2P1BP2/P3Q1PP/RN2K1NR w KQ - 1 17

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