Puzzle #23: Decoy
Rating ≈ 1300 · 2 moves to find
Black to move and win material.
Show a hint
Force an enemy piece onto a square where you can win it.
Show the solution
- 42… f4+ — the pawn goes to f4 with check.
- 43. Qxf4 is forced: it is the best way out of check.
- 43… Rxf4 — the rook takes the queen on f4.
Why it works. The first move lures an enemy piece onto a square where it can be captured — a small investment that wins much more. At the end of the line Black is about 8 points of material better off.
Themes: Decoy, Winning material
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This position comes from a training game and was checked with a chess engine: every move you need to find is the only one that works.