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

Rating 1591 · Intermediate · defensive move, equality, long, opening.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/f1; bishop f4; knights b1/e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen c7; rooks a8/h8; bishop d6; knights b8/f6; pawns a6/b5/c5/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook f1→d1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bxe5 — bishop d6→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxe5 (bishop f4→e5, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxe5 — queen c7→e5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rd8+ (rook d1→d8, gives check).
  4. Best move: Ne8 — knight f6→e8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, opening. The key move Bxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rn3k1r/2q3pp/p2bpn2/1pp1N3/4PB2/2P4P/PPQ2PP1/RN3RK1 w - - 4 17

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