Chess Puzzle #OFncN — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2116 · Expert · defensive move, equality, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen b7; rooks a1/e1; bishop c4; knight f6; pawns a3/b2/d3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen d8; rooks a8/g8; bishops d6/e6; knight c2; pawns a7/c5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe6 — bishop c4→e6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf6 — queen d8→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxa8+ (queen b7→a8, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg7 — king f8→g7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The key move Qxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1kr1/pQ3p2/3bbN1p/2p5/2B5/P2P3P/1Pn2PP1/R3R2K w - - 0 19

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