Chess Puzzle #F7hJj — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks d3/h1; bishops f1/h4; knight f3; pawns a2/e5/f2/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knights c6/e7; pawns a7/b7/d7/e6/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4+ — queen c4→b4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4 — queen d2→b4, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxb4 (knight c6→b4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxe7 — bishop h4→e7, captures knight. Opponent replies Nxd3 (knight b4→d3, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bxd3 — bishop f1→d3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/pp1pn1p1/2n1p2p/4Pp1P/2q4B/3R1N2/P2Q1PP1/1K3B1R b - - 1 18

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