Chess Puzzle #4OU5b — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen c4; pawns a2/b3/d7/f4/g3/h6. Black: king f8; queen c6; bishop c2; knight c5; pawns a6/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd3+ — knight c5→d3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd3 — queen c4→d3, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxd3 (bishop c2→d3, captures queen).
3. Best move: d8=Q+ — pawn d7→d8, promotes to queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
4. Best move: Qxd3 — queen d8→d3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, exposed king, fork, long, master, promotion. The key move Qxd3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/3P3p/p1q2ppP/2n5/2Q2P2/1P4P1/PKb5/8 b - - 0 37

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