Chess Puzzle #0n5Mp — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2251 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king b2; queen f7; rook d1; bishop d4; knight b5; pawns b3/c4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king b6; queen e4; rooks a8/d8; bishop h6; knight c5; pawns b7/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qe2+ — queen e4→e2, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kc3 — king b2→c3. Opponent replies Qxd1 (queen e2→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bxc5+ — bishop d4→c5, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The key move Bxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2r4/1p3Q2/1k5b/1Nn1P2p/2PBq3/1P6/1K4PP/3R4 b - - 6 35

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.