Chess Puzzle #2BUpi — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen c1; pawns a3/b4/d4/e3/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen b3; bishop g7; pawns a6/b5/d6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc4 — queen b3→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc4 — queen c1→c4, captures queen. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures queen).
3. Best move: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Opponent replies e5 (pawn e7→e5).
4. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a6→b5, captures pawn).
5. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies exd4 (pawn e5→d4, captures pawn).
6. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, quiet move, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4ppbp/p2p2p1/1p6/1P1P4/Pq2P1P1/5PP1/2Q1K3 b - - 1 31

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