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

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks c1/d1; bishop g4; knight c3; pawns a2/b3/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks b8/d8; bishops c6/f6; pawns a7/e4/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d2→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen e5→d4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d1→d4, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxd4 (bishop f6→d4, captures rook).
4. Best move: Ne2 — knight c3→e2.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r1r2k1/p4pp1/2b2b1p/4q3/3Pp1B1/1PN4P/P2Q1PP1/2RR2K1 b - - 0 21

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