Chess Puzzle #0q3XY — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen d3; rooks d1/h1; bishops e3/f1; knight d2; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e5; rooks a8/h8; bishops b4/c8; knight c2; pawns a7/b7/d5/d7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4+ — knight c2→d4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d3→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen e5→d4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop e3→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/pp1p1ppp/8/3pq3/1b6/3QB3/P1nNKPPP/3R1B1R b kq - 1 15

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