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

Rating 2011 · Expert · equality, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen e1; rooks a1/f1; bishops d2/d3; knights b5/f3; pawns a3/b2/d4/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e8; rooks c8/f8; bishops d7/e7; knights c6/g6; pawns a5/d5/e6/f5/g7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxa5 — bishop d2→a5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxa5 — knight c6→a5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxa5 (queen e1→a5, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Ra8 — rook c8→a8. Opponent replies Qb6 (queen a5→b6).
  4. Best move: Rb8 — rook a8→b8.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move Nxa5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r1qrk1/3bb1p1/2n1p1n1/pN1pPp1p/3P1P2/P2B1NP1/1P1B3P/R3QRK1 w - - 0 17

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