Chess Puzzle #3auqH — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen h3; rooks d1/h1; bishop e2; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/c4/f2/g2. Black: king f7; queen c7; rooks c8/f8; bishops e6/g7; pawns a7/b7/e4/f5/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc4 — bishop e6→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxc4+ — bishop e2→c4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen c7→c4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rd7+ — rook d1→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f7→e8).
4. Best move: Rxg7 — rook d7→g7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, long, middlegame, skewer. The key move Bxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r2/ppq2kb1/4b1p1/5p2/2P1p3/P1N4Q/1P2BPP1/1K1R3R b - - 1 23

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