Chess Puzzle #aYGHM — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; queen h5; rook g1; bishops d5/e3; pawns c3/e4/f2/g6/h4. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks b8/f8; bishop e7; pawns b3/c5/d6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c4+ — pawn c5→c4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kd4 — king d3→d4. Opponent replies Bf6+ (bishop e7→f6, gives check).
3. Best move: e5 — pawn e4→e5. Opponent replies dxe5+ (pawn d6→e5, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke4 — king d4→e4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Kd4.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/4bpp1/3p2P1/2pB3Q/4P2P/1pPKB3/1q3P2/6R1 b - - 1 28

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