Chess Puzzle #VxlZ3 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2127 · Expert · advanced pawn, advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen d6; rooks d1/e6; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook a8; knights d5/f6; pawns a4/b3/g6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd3 — rook d1→d3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: bxc2+ — pawn b3→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc2 (king b1→c2, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Nf4 — knight d5→f4.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, middlegame, short. The key move bxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/8/3QRnp1/3n1q2/p2P4/1p3N2/PPP2PP1/1K1R4 w - - 0 28

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