Chess Puzzle #9ewqD — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d5; rooks a1/h1; bishop b5; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen g4; rooks a8/h8; bishops d7/f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e6 — pawn e7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd7+ — queen d5→d7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e8→d7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne5+ — knight f3→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d7→e7).
4. Best move: Nxg4 — knight e5→g4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice. The key move Qxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/pppbpppp/2n5/1B1Q4/6q1/2N2N2/PPP2PPP/R3K2R b KQkq - 7 10

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