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

Position

White: king h3; queen f2; bishop b5; pawns a4/b3/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen b7; rook d1; pawns f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc8 — queen b7→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb2+ — queen f2→b2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Bc4+ — bishop b5→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen c8→c4, captures bishop).
4. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qb2+.

Position data

FEN: 7k/1q5p/6p1/1B3p2/P7/1P4PK/5Q1P/3r4 b - - 3 37

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