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

Rating 2052 · Expert · defensive move, equality, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops e2/f4; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops e6/f8; knights c6/f6; pawns a6/b5/c7/d5/e7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb5 — bishop e2→b5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxb5 (knight c3→b5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Rc8 — rook a8→c8.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2qkb1r/2p1pppp/p1n1bn2/1p1p4/3P1B2/2N1PN1P/PPP1BPP1/R2QK2R w KQkq - 1 8

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