Chess Puzzle #APfY7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/c1; knight f3; pawns a4/b6/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d7; rooks d8/h8; bishops f8/g4; knight a7; pawns a5/c7/e5/f7/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop g4→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa6+ — queen e2→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Bb7 (bishop f3→b7).
3. Best move: bxa7 — pawn b6→a7, captures knight. Opponent replies Qd5 (queen d7→d5).
4. Best move: a8=Q+ — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, fork, long, middlegame, pin, promotion. The key move is Qa6+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr1b1r/n1pq1pp1/1P6/p3p2p/P2P2b1/4PN2/4QPPP/R1R3K1 b - - 0 18

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