Chess Puzzle #M3MdH — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1982 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f2; queen e2; rook a1; bishops c1/d3; knights c3/f3; pawns a3/b2/d5/e5/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen b3; rooks d8/h8; bishop d7; knight a5; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxa6 — bishop d3→a6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qb6+ — queen b3→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Be3 (bishop c1→e3).
  3. Best move: Qxa6 — queen b6→a6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Qb6+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/1ppb1pp1/p2p3p/n2PP3/8/PqNB1N1P/1P2QKP1/R1B5 w - - 5 20

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