Chess Puzzle #y8rfI — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2213 · Expert · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king e1; queen d3; rooks d1/h1; bishop d5; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/c6/f2/g2/g3. Black: king f8; queen c7; rooks d8/h8; bishops e6/g7; pawns a6/b5/e7/f5/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen d3→c4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Qa5+ — queen c7→a5, gives check. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b2→b4).
  4. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d8→d5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move bxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k1r/2q1p1b1/p1P1b1pp/1p1B1p2/8/2PQ1NP1/PP3PP1/3RK2R w K - 2 24

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