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

Rating 2025 · Expert · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rooks a1/e1; bishops d2/e2; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen c8; rooks a8/g7; bishop b7; knights d7/e4; pawns a6/f5/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f2→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Opponent replies Qa3 (queen b4→a3).
  3. Best move: Nxd2 — knight e4→d2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: r1q5/1b1n2rk/p5pp/3P1p2/1QP1n3/4P3/PP1BBPPP/R3R1K1 w - - 0 22

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