Chess Puzzle #7eyjM — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen g4; rooks a1/g2; bishops d3/h6; pawns a3/b3/e5/f4/g6. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks a8/f7; bishops a4/e3; pawns a7/b7/d4/e6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb3+ — bishop a4→b3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ke2 — king d1→e2. Opponent replies Qb2+ (queen c3→b2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf3 — king e2→f3. Opponent replies Bd5+ (bishop b3→d5, gives check).
4. Best move: Be4 — bishop d3→e4.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Ke2.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp3r1p/4p1PB/4P3/b2p1PQ1/PPqBb3/6R1/R2K4 b - - 2 28

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