Chess Puzzle #0h81z — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e2; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/e4; knight g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen e5; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc5 — bishop f8→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxc6+ — bishop e4→c6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies bxc6 (pawn b7→c6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen e2→e5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, opening, short. The key move Bxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1kb1r/ppp2ppp/2n5/4q3/4B3/6P1/PPPPQ2P/R1B1K1NR b KQkq - 0 9

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