Chess Puzzle #088zv — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 901 · Beginner · advantage, endgame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen c1; bishop f1; pawns a3/c5/e3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook c8; bishop g7; pawns a6/b7/c7/f5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook c8→e8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bc4 — bishop f1→c4. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen d5→c4, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen c1→c4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, pin, short. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1pp3b1/p5p1/2Pq1p1p/5P2/P3P2P/6P1/2Q2B1K b - - 1 40

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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