Chess Puzzle #CveC5 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2024 · Expert · crushing, endgame, very long.

Position

White: king d2; queen f7; bishop g3; pawns a4/b2/d6/f2/h3. Black: king h8; queen g1; bishops b7/d4; pawns a6/b4/f4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bc3+ — bishop d4→c3, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies bxc3+ (pawn b4→c3, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ke2 — king d2→e2. Opponent replies f3+ (pawn f4→f3, gives check).
  4. Best move: Ke3 — king e2→e3. Opponent replies Qe1+ (queen g1→e1, gives check).
  5. Best move: Kf4 — king e3→f4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move bxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 7k/1b3Q1p/p2P2p1/8/Pp1b1p2/6BP/1P1K1P2/6q1 b - - 5 32

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