Chess Puzzle #MA2zO — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1655 · Advanced · crushing, discovered attack, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook d1; bishops b2/e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b3/c4/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king c7; rook d8; bishops c8/g7; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nb5+ — knight c3→b5, gives check. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c6→b5, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Bxe5+ — bishop b2→e5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The key move Bxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2br4/ppk2pb1/2p2np1/4p2p/2P1P3/1PN2P2/PB2B1PP/3R2K1 b - - 1 18

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