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

Rating 2260 · Expert · advantage, defensive move, hanging piece, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen b7; rooks a1/h1; bishops b5/c1; knights e5/g3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d2/f2/g2/h4. Black: king e8; queen d5; rooks a8/h8; bishops f8/h7; knights d7/f6; pawns a7/c7/e6/f7/g7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bc6 — bishop b5→c6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen d5→e5, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ne2 (knight g3→e2).
  3. Best move: Rd8 — rook a8→d8.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, hanging piece, opening, short. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/pQpn1ppb/4pn2/1B1qN2p/7P/6N1/PPPP1PP1/R1B1K2R w KQkq - 3 11

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