Chess Puzzle #IsN4E — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2013 · Expert · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks a1/e1; bishops b5/f4; pawns a2/b4/c5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks a8/e8; bishops f6/g6; pawns a7/c6/d6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: cxd5 — pawn c6→d5, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxd7 — bishop b5→d7, captures queen. Opponent replies Bd4+ (bishop f6→d4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Bxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/p2q1ppp/2pp1bb1/1BPQ4/1P3B2/5P2/P5PP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 20

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