Chess Puzzle #8VB8p — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rooks e1/f1; bishop c4; knight f6; pawns a3/b2/c2/g2. Black: king c8; queen e7; rooks d8/h8; bishop d7; knight e6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc6 — bishop d7→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxe6+ — bishop c4→e6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies fxe6 (pawn f7→e6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rxe6 — rook e1→e6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Bxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/pppbqp1p/4nN2/8/2B3Q1/P7/1PP3P1/4RR1K b - - 7 23

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