Chess Puzzle #1iJ8Z — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b6; rook f1; bishops d1/e3; pawns a2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e5; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; pawns a6/b7/d6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg7 — bishop f8→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ba4+ — bishop d1→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Bd7 (bishop c8→d7).
3. Best move: Bxd7+ — bishop a4→d7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
4. Best move: Qxb7 — queen b6→b7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Bxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1kb1r/1p2pp1p/pQ1p2p1/3Pq3/8/4B3/P4PPP/3B1RK1 b kq - 1 16

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