Chess Puzzle #FW4aO — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1840 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a6/f1; bishop d3; knights c2/d5; pawns b4/c4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen e8; rooks b8/f8; bishops d7/g5; knight c6; pawns d6/e5/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc7 — knight d5→c7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qc8 — queen e8→c8. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b4→b5).
  3. Best move: Qxc7 — queen c8→c7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Qc8.

Position data

FEN: 1r2qr2/3b2k1/R1np2p1/3Np1bp/1PP5/3B3P/2N2PP1/3Q1RK1 w - - 1 24

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