Chess Puzzle #MTt0L — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d4; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/f6; knights c3/e5; pawns a2/b2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e7; rooks a8/h8; bishops c5/c8; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/d7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd4 — bishop c5→d4, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxe7 — bishop f6→e7, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxc3+ (bishop d4→c3, captures knight, gives check).
3. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move Bxe7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rnb1k2r/pp1pqppp/5B2/2b1N3/3QP3/2N5/PP3PPP/R3KB1R b KQkq - 0 9

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