Chess Puzzle #BuxFn — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen h5; rooks a1/e2; bishops c2/e3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e4/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks d2/e8; bishops b7/c5; pawns a6/b5/c4/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Red8 — rook e8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc5 — queen h5→c5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc5 (queen c7→c5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxc5 — bishop e3→c5, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook d2→c2, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Rxc2 — rook e2→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1bq2pp1/p3p2p/1pb4Q/2p1PP2/2P1B1P1/PPBrRK1P/R7 b - - 8 22

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