Chess Puzzle #4L4ao — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; bishops a4/d4; pawns a3/g3/h2. Black: king f7; rook e8; bishop d5; pawns a7/c4/d3/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c3 — pawn c4→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxe8+ — bishop a4→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe8 (king f7→e8, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Bxc3 — bishop d4→c3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Bxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/p4k2/6p1/3b4/B1pB4/P2p2P1/5K1P/8 b - - 3 42

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