Chess Puzzle #OtHJa — Expert, White to move, opening

Rating 2141 · Expert · equality, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen a4; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/f1; knights c3/g1; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops b4/e6; knights c6/e4; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc3+ — bishop b4→c3, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qf6 (queen d8→f6).
  3. Best move: Qc2 — queen a4→c2.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move bxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qk2r/ppp2ppp/2n1b3/3P4/QbP1n3/2N5/PP3PPP/R1B1KBNR b KQkq - 0 8

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