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

Rating 2213 · Expert · advantage, middlegame, very long.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks d2/e1; knight d6; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks a8/e8; bishop c6; pawns a6/b7/c5/e4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qb3+ — queen c2→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Bd5 (bishop c6→d5).
  3. Best move: Qxd5+ — queen b3→d5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen g5→d5, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d2→d5, captures queen. Opponent replies exf2+ (pawn e3→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
  5. Best move: Kxf2 — king g1→f2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/1p4pp/p1bN4/2p3q1/4p3/2P5/PPQR1PPP/4R1K1 b - - 2 20

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.