Chess Puzzle #6wf0U — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a4; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/c4; knight e2; pawns a2/b2/e5/f3/h3. Black: king e8; queen d4; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knights c6/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f4/f7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb4+ — bishop f8→b4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4 — queen a4→b4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxb4 (knight c6→b4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxd4 — knight e2→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3kbnr/ppp2p2/2n4p/4P1p1/Q1Bq1p2/5P1P/PP2N3/R1B1K2R b KQkq - 1 12

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