Chess Puzzle #O0yDT — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rook c1; bishop g2; knight c3; pawns b5/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook d8; bishop e6; knight b4; pawns b7/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen c7→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c1→c3, captures queen. Opponent replies Rd1+ (rook d8→d1, gives check).
3. Best move: Bf1 — bishop g2→f1. Opponent replies Bh3 (bishop e6→h3).
4. Best move: Qb8+ — queen a7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
5. Best move: Qc7+ — queen b8→c7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, hanging piece, master, middlegame, very long. The key move Rxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/Qpq3pp/4bp2/1P6/1n2P3/2N3P1/5PBP/2R3K1 b - - 8 27

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