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

Rating 2088 · Expert · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/e1; bishops b3/e5; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c6; rooks a8/h8; bishop e7; knights b8/f6; pawns a6/b4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxc6+ — queen f3→c6, captures queen, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc6 — knight b8→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies Ba4 (bishop b3→a4).
  3. Best move: Rc8 — rook a8→c8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rn2k2r/4bppp/p1q1pn2/4B3/1p6/1BN2Q2/PPP2PPP/R3R1K1 w kq - 1 15

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