Chess Puzzle #Tai8w — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2157 · Expert · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king a2; queen c2; rook h1; bishop c4; knight g1; pawns b3/d2/h3. Black: king e8; queen b4; rook h8; bishops a4/d4; pawns e4/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb3+ — bishop a4→b3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxb3 — queen c2→b3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qa5+ (queen b4→a5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kb1 — king a2→b1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4k2r/6pp/8/5p2/bqBbp3/1P5P/K1QP4/6NR b k - 1 30

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