Chess Puzzle #JMTNO — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1473 · Intermediate · advantage, hanging piece, intermezzo, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks a1/e1; bishop g8; knight d2; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen b2; rook b8; bishops c8/e7; pawns a7/b6/c2/d6/h6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe7 — rook e1→e7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen b2→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nf1 (knight d2→f1).
  3. Best move: Kxe7 — king d8→e7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rbk2B1/p3b2p/1pQp3p/8/8/8/PqpN1PPP/R3R1K1 w - - 1 17

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