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

Rating 2119 · Expert · defensive move, equality, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/c4; knights b5/f7; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knights c6/g8; pawns a6/b7/c5/d7/e6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxh8 — knight f7→h8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures knight. Opponent replies Bg5+ (bishop c1→g5, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ke8 — king e7→e8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, opening, short. The key move axb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2bnr/1p1pkN1p/p1n1p1p1/1Np5/2B1P3/3P4/PPP2PPP/R1B1K2R w KQ - 1 10

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