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

Position

White: king h1; queen e7; rooks a1/f1; bishop c4; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks d2/f8; bishops c6/g7; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe4 — bishop c6→e4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen e7→e4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rd4 (rook d2→d4).
3. Best move: Qe2 — queen e4→e2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pp2Qpbp/1qb3p1/8/2B1NP2/8/PPPr2PP/R4R1K b - - 6 19

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