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

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks a1/f2; bishop a4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen g6; rooks a8/h8; bishops b4/h3; pawns a7/b5/c6/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop b4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc2 — bishop a4→c2. Opponent replies Bxd4 (bishop c3→d4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen e3→d4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Bc2.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/p4ppp/2p3q1/1p1pP3/Bb1P4/2N1QP1b/PP3RPP/R5K1 b kq - 2 18

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