Chess Puzzle #YIXLN — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2761 · Master · advantage, long, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king c1; queen f3; rooks d1/g1; bishop f4; knights c2/h3; pawns b2/c3/e4/f2/h6/h7. Black: king h8; queen a4; rooks a8/f6; bishops b3/e7; knight b6; pawns a6/b7/c7/e5/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc2 — bishop b3→c2, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxe5 — bishop f4→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook a8→f8).
  3. Best move: Rd4 — rook d1→d4. Opponent replies Nc4 (knight b6→c4).
  4. Best move: Rxc4 — rook d4→c4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Bxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r6k/1pp1b2P/pn3rpP/4p3/q3PB2/1bP2Q1N/1PN2P2/2KR2R1 b - - 0 23

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