Chess Puzzle #J3xUH — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook d1; bishops d3/g3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks a8/e8; bishop e6; knight d5; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf5 — bishop e6→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf5 — queen e4→f5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen d7→f5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxf5 — bishop d3→f5, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxc3 (knight d5→c3, captures knight).
4. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pp1q1pp1/2p1b2p/3n4/4Q3/2NB2B1/PP3PPP/3R2K1 b - - 10 21

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