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

Rating 2246 · Expert · advanced pawn, equality, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen e2; rooks d1/f1; bishops d2/g2; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/c2/d3/f5/g4/g6/h3. Black: king b8; queen e7; rooks d8/h8; bishops b7/d6; knight f6; pawns a7/b6/c7/d4/e5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb7 — bishop g2→b7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: dxc3 — pawn d4→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Bc6 (bishop b7→c6).
  3. Best move: cxd2+ — pawn c3→d2, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, equality, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The key move cxd2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/pbp1q1p1/1p1b1nPp/4pP2/3p2P1/P1NP3P/1PPBQ1B1/2KR1R2 w - - 0 19

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