Chess Puzzle #bQo39 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2027 · Expert · capturing the defender, equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks b7/f1; bishops c2/g3; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks d8/e8; bishop a7; knight d3; pawns a6/c4/c6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf2 — bishop a7→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxd3 — bishop c2→d3, captures knight. Opponent replies cxd3 (pawn c4→d3, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Bxf2 — bishop g3→f2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Bxd3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/bR3pp1/p1p4p/8/2p5/2Pn2B1/P1B2PPP/5R1K b - - 5 26

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.