Chess Puzzle #TX4A7 — Advanced, Black to move, opening

Rating 1937 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen f3; rooks a1/h1; bishops c4/d2; knights b5/g1; pawns a4/b2/c2/d5/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen b7; rooks a8/h8; bishops d7/f8; knights b8/f6; pawns a7/b4/d6/e7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb4 — bishop d2→b4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Opponent replies Nxd6+ (knight b5→d6, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: exd6 — pawn e7→d6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: rn2kb1r/pq1bpppp/3p1n2/1N1P4/PpB1P3/5Q1P/1PPB1PP1/R3K1NR w KQkq - 1 11

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