Chess Puzzle #1zpXf — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen e2; rooks g1/h1; bishop e3; knight f5; pawns b2/c3/f2/h4. Black: king c8; queen a1; rooks d6/h8; bishops b7/f8; pawns a7/b6/c7/e5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be4+ — bishop b7→e4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kb3 — king c2→b3. Opponent replies Bd5+ (bishop e4→d5, gives check).
3. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Opponent replies Qa6 (queen a1→a6).
4. Best move: Nxd6+ — knight f5→d6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd6 (bishop f8→d6, captures knight).
5. Best move: Qg4+ — queen e2→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
6. Best move: cxd5 — pawn c4→d5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qd3+ (queen a6→d3, gives check).
7. Best move: Ka2 — king b3→a2.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Nxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k2b1r/pbp5/1p1r3p/4pN2/7P/2P1B3/1PK1QP2/q5RR b - - 2 21

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