Chess Puzzle #M9KfU — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen h6; rooks e1/h1; bishops d2/e4; pawns a3/b3/c3/f3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks c8/e8; knights a5/f6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Red8 — rook e8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxg6 — bishop e4→g6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxd2+ (rook d8→d2, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxd2 — queen h6→d2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc3+ (queen e5→c3, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxc3 — queen d2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Bxg6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/pp3p1p/5npQ/n3q3/4B3/PPP2P2/2KB4/4R2R b - - 8 22

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