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

Position

White: king g1; queen a1; rook c1; bishops a7/c6; pawns b2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen b8; rook h8; bishops f8/g6; pawns b4/d5/e6/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe5 — queen b8→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc5+ — bishop a7→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king e7→f7).
3. Best move: Qa7+ — queen a1→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f7→g8).
4. Best move: Bxf8 — bishop c5→f8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is Bc5+.

Position data

FEN: 1q3b1r/B3k1pp/2B1ppb1/3p4/1p6/5P2/1P4PP/Q1R3K1 b - - 2 23

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