Chess Puzzle #f2ZoI — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; bishop d3; pawns a3/b2/c3/e5/f4/g3/h3. Black: king e7; bishop e4; pawns a6/b5/d4/e6/f5/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc3 — pawn d4→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxe4 — bishop d3→e4, captures bishop. Opponent replies fxe4 (pawn f5→e4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e7→d7).
4. Best move: Ke3 — king e2→e3.

Tactical themes

bishop endgame, crushing, endgame, intermezzo, long. The key move Bxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/4k3/p3p1pp/1p2Pp2/3pbP2/P1PB2PP/1P2K3/8 b - - 0 34

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