Chess Puzzle #Q0ibD — Advanced, White to move, opening

Rating 1975 · Advanced · equality, fork, long, middlegame, trapped piece.

Position

White: king c1; queen d3; rooks e1/h1; bishops f1/g3; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen b6; rooks d8/h8; bishops d7/e7; knights f6/g6; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen d3→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Bc6 (bishop d7→c6).
  3. Best move: Bc7 — bishop g3→c7. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen b6→c7, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: Nxc7 — knight b5→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, long, middlegame, trapped piece. The key move is Qc3+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/pp1bbp2/1q2pnnp/1N1p4/3P4/3Q2B1/PPP2PPP/2K1RB1R b - - 3 16

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