Chess Puzzle #0SGJO — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen a6; rook c1; bishop f4; pawns a3/e4/g4. Black: king e7; queen h3; rook h8; bishop c5; pawns a5/b6/d4/f7/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d3+ — pawn d4→d3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qh4+ (queen h3→h4, gives check).
3. Best move: Bg3 — bishop f4→g3. Opponent replies Qf6+ (queen h4→f6, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke3 — king f2→e3. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b6→c5, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qb7+ — queen a6→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king e7→e8).
6. Best move: Qb5+ — queen b7→b5, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 7r/4kpp1/Qp4p1/p1b5/3pPBP1/P6q/5K2/2R5 b - - 7 35

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