Chess Puzzle #sY0rh — Advanced, White to move, opening

Rating 1994 · Advanced · equality, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen b3; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/g5; knights c3/d2; pawns a2/b2/c4/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen a5; rooks a8/h8; bishops b4/c8; knights d7/f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop b4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc3 — queen b3→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen a5→c3, captures queen).
  3. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move Qxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/pp1n1ppp/2p1pn2/q2p2B1/1bPP4/1QN1P3/PP1N1PPP/R3KB1R b KQkq - 4 8

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