Puzzle #63: Sacrifice
Rating ≈ 1450 · 2 moves to find
Black to move and win material.
Show a hint
Sometimes you have to give material first.
Show the solution
- 12… Qxb1+ — the queen takes the rook on b1 with check.
- 13. Nxb1 is forced: it is the best way out of check.
- 13… bxa4 — the pawn takes the queen on a4.
Why it works. The initial sacrifice pays off: the material comes back with interest. At the end of the line Black is about 5 points of material better off.
Themes: Sacrifice, 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.