Chess Puzzle #KaVcQ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1580 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen f3; rooks d1/h1; bishop b2; knight d5; pawns a2/b3/c4/e4/f2/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks c8/f8; bishop a3; knight f4; pawns a6/b7/d3/e5/f7/g6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb2+ — bishop a3→b2, captures bishop, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxb2 — king c1→b2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxd5 (knight f4→d5, captures knight).
  3. Best move: exd5 — pawn e4→d5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Kxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1p2qpp1/p5p1/3Np1P1/2P1Pn1P/bP1p1Q2/PB3P2/2KR3R b - - 4 25

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