Chess Puzzle #DAzkm — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1459 · Intermediate · advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/e1; bishops g2/g5; knights f3/g6; pawns a2/b2/c3/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks e8/f8; bishop g3; knights d7/e4; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb6+ — queen c7→b6, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Be3 — bishop g5→e3. Opponent replies hxg6 (pawn h7→g6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Bxb6 — bishop e3→b6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move is Be3.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/ppqn1ppp/2p3N1/4p1B1/4n3/2P2NbP/PPQ3B1/R3R1K1 b - - 1 18

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