Chess Puzzle #HzV0j — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2030 · Expert · equality, intermezzo, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen f4; rooks d1/f1; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen d8; rooks a8/g8; bishops a7/e6; pawns a6/d5/f7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bb8 — bishop a7→b8. Opponent replies Ne5 (knight f3→e5).
  3. Best move: Bxd5 — bishop e6→d5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Bb8.

Position data

FEN: r2q2r1/b4p1k/p3b2p/2Pp4/5Q2/2N2N1P/PP3PPK/3R1R2 w - - 0 24

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