Chess Puzzle #pMU2Z — Expert, Black to move, opening

Rating 2117 · Expert · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, long, opening.

Position

White: king e1; queen c2; rooks a1/h1; bishops d2/f1; knights e4/g5; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/e7; knights a6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c5/d6/e5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd6+ — knight e4→d6, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bxd6 — bishop e7→d6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qg6+ (queen c2→g6, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kd7 — king e8→d7. Opponent replies Qxg7+ (queen g6→g7, captures pawn, gives check).
  4. Best move: Be7 — bishop d6→e7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, long, opening. The key move Bxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bqk2r/pp2b1p1/n2p1n1p/2pPp1N1/2P1N3/8/PPQB1PPP/R3KB1R w KQkq - 0 11

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