Chess Puzzle #fop5A — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; rook c1; bishops a5/e2; knight b5; pawns e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook b8; bishops a6/f6; knight c5; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb5 — rook b8→b5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxb5 — bishop e2→b5, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxb5 (queen c6→b5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxc5 — queen a3→c5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxc5 (queen b5→c5, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move Bxb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5pp1/b1q1pb1p/BNnp4/8/Q3P3/4BPPP/2R3K1 b - - 2 28

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