Chess Puzzle #aUHbq — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2130 · Expert · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e2; queen d3; rooks b1/h1; bishops f1/f4; pawns a2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c3; rooks a8/h8; bishops b2/c8; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ba6 — bishop c8→a6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxa6 — queen d3→a6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc2+ (queen c3→c2, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kf3 — king e2→f3.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/p4ppp/1p2p3/3p4/3P1B2/2qQ4/PbP1KPPP/1R3B1R b kq - 1 14

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