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

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks a1/g3; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f4/g2/h3. Black: king f7; queen h4; rooks a8/f6; bishop a6; knight b8; pawns a7/b5/c6/e6/f5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd7 — knight b8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxe6+ — bishop b3→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe6 (rook f6→e6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rg7+ — rook g3→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king f7→f8).
4. Best move: Qxe6 — queen e5→e6, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxg7 (king f8→g7, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qxd7+ — queen e6→d7, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, fork, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Bxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn6/p4k2/b1p1pr2/1p2Qp2/3P1P1q/1B4RP/PPP3P1/R5K1 b - - 5 26

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