Chess Puzzle #9XBLV — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; bishop a5; pawns b2/e3/f2/f3/h2. Black: king d7; queen f7; knights e6/h6; pawns b5/e5/f6/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke8 — king d7→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen b7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
3. Best move: Bb4+ — bishop a5→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Nc5 (knight e6→c5).
4. Best move: Bxc5# — bishop b4→c5, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Bxc5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/1Q1k1qp1/4np1n/Bp2p3/8/4PP2/1P3P1P/6K1 b - - 3 31

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