Chess Puzzle #XcHwN — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1925 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rooks d1/f2; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king c8; rooks d8/e7; bishops c4/c5; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/d5/f6/f7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc4 — bishop b3→c4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc4 — knight e5→c4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxh6 (queen d2→h6, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Bxf2 — bishop c5→f2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/pp2rp2/5p1p/2bpn3/2b5/1BP2P1P/PP1Q1RP1/3R3K w - - 1 27

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