Chess Puzzle #0btIo — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; bishop d3; pawns a2/c3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e7; bishop e5; pawns a7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop e5→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen d5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen e7→f8).
3. Best move: Bh7+ — bishop d3→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g8→h7, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxf8 — queen a8→f8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Qa8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p3qpp1/7p/3Qb3/8/2PB3P/P5P1/7K b - - 1 23

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