Chess Puzzle #YdZYJ — Expert, White to move, opening

Rating 2127 · Expert · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen e2; rooks a1/h1; bishops b2/f1; knights b1/g1; pawns a2/b3/c2/d2/e3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/f8; bishops e7/f5; knights g4/g6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc2 — bishop f5→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxg4 — queen e2→g4, captures knight. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f7→f5).
  3. Best move: Qe2 — queen g4→e2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxg4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/ppp1bppp/3q2n1/3p1b2/6nP/1P2P3/PBPPQ1P1/RN2KBNR b KQ - 0 14

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