Chess Puzzle #SdFPR — Expert, Black to move, opening

Rating 2209 · Expert · advantage, defensive move, long, opening, trapped piece.

Position

White: king e1; queen c4; rooks a1/h1; bishop f1; knights b1/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e7; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; knights b4/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb5+ — queen c4→b5, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bd7 — bishop c8→d7. Opponent replies Qxb7 (queen b5→b7, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Bc6 — bishop d7→c6. Opponent replies Qxb4 (queen b7→b4, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Qxb4+ — queen e7→b4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, opening, trapped piece. The key move Qxb4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k1nr/ppp1qppp/8/3pP3/1nQ5/5N2/PPP1PPPP/RN2KB1R w KQkq d6 0 8

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