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

Rating 2026 · Expert · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen b7; rooks a1/h1; bishops c4/g3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop g7; knights d7/f6; pawns a7/c7/e7/f7/g4/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen b7→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc7 — queen d8→c7, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxc7 (bishop g3→c7, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rac8 — rook a8→c8.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pQpnppb1/5n1p/8/2BP2pP/2N1P1B1/PP3PP1/R3K2R w KQ - 1 13

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