Chess Puzzle #EfPS5 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen c6; rook h1; bishops b5/c5; pawns a2/b2/d3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e6; queen d8; rooks b8/h8; bishop f8; knight a1; pawns a7/c7/e5/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf5 — king e6→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe4+ — queen c6→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f5→e6).
3. Best move: Qc4+ — queen e4→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Qd5 (queen d8→d5).
4. Best move: Bd7+ — bishop b5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king e6→d7, captures bishop).
5. Best move: Qxd5+ — queen c4→d5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Qxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1q1b1r/p1p2p1p/2Q1kp2/1BB1p3/8/3P3P/PP2KPP1/n6R b - - 7 16

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