Chess Puzzle #CSYjb — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1447 · Intermediate · crushing, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rook e3; bishops b3/h4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/f3/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook e8; bishop f4; knights b6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe3 — bishop f4→e3, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxf6 — bishop h4→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qg3+ (queen c7→g3, gives check).
  3. Best move: Qxg3 — queen g6→g3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Bxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/ppq2pp1/1np2nQp/8/3P1b1B/1BN1RP1P/PP3P2/6K1 b - - 6 21

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.