Chess Puzzle #3rPpJ — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook e1; pawns a2/c4/e6/f4/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen g7; bishop b7; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/c5/d6/f6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight c6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e7+ — pawn e6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
3. Best move: Qxb7 — queen e4→b7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nf3+ (knight d4→f3, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxf3 — queen b7→f3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, interference, long, master, master vs master. The key move is e7+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/pb4q1/1pnpPp1p/2p5/2P1QP2/8/P5PP/4R1K1 b - - 3 26

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