Chess Puzzle #Xsa09 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen b3; rooks b1/e6; bishops c4/g5; pawns a4/c3/d5. Black: king a7; queen c5; rooks b8/c7; bishop d6; knight c8; pawns b6/g4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be3 — bishop g5→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc4 — queen c5→c4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen b3→c4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc4 — rook c7→c4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, master, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1rn5/k1r5/1p1bR3/2qP2B1/P1B3p1/1QP5/K7/1R6 w - - 10 42

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