Chess Puzzle #dG0DE — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks b1/f1; bishops c1/c4; knight f3; pawns a2/c2/d4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c7; rooks a8/h8; bishops f8/g4; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d1→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxf3 (bishop g4→f3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxf3 — rook f1→f3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Bc5 (bishop f8→c5).
4. Best move: Bb5+ — bishop c4→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
5. Best move: Ba3 — bishop c1→a3.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, opening, pin, very long. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/ppq2ppp/2n1p3/4P3/2BP2b1/5N2/P1P3PP/1RBQ1RK1 b kq - 0 12

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