Chess Puzzle #NZ9UQ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rook a1; bishop f2; pawns d4/e5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d2; rook f8; bishop d3; pawns a7/e4/f4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Be1 — bishop f2→e1. Opponent replies Qxe1+ (queen d2→e1, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxe1 — rook a1→e1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Be1.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p3Q2p/6p1/4P3/3Ppp2/3b3P/3q1BP1/R5K1 b - - 0 31

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