Chess Puzzle #KIlOQ — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1910 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/e1; bishop f4; knights c3/f5; pawns a2/b2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops b4/e6; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop b4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Bxf5 (bishop e6→f5, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxf5 — queen d3→f5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move bxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/1p3ppp/p1n1b3/3pPN2/1b3B2/2NQ4/PP3PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 16

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