Chess Puzzle #KCPL7 — Intermediate, White to move, opening

Rating 1403 · Intermediate · equality, fork, interference, opening, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights b1/e2; pawns a2/b3/c3/d2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/g7; knights d6/g8; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qc6+ — queen c5→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Bd7 (bishop c8→d7).
  3. Best move: Qxd6 — queen c6→d6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, interference, opening, short. The key move is Qc6+.

Position data

FEN: r1bqk1nr/pp3pbp/3np1p1/2QP4/8/1PP5/P2PNPPP/RNB2RK1 b kq - 0 10

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