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

Rating 2037 · Expert · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop d5; knight c4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks e8/g3; knight c6; pawns a7/b5/c5/d4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc6 — bishop d5→c6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc6 — queen d7→c6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qd2 (queen d1→d2).
  3. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p2q1ppp/2n5/1ppB4/2Np4/3P2rP/PPP3P1/R2Q1RK1 w - - 0 23

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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