Chess Puzzle #mMRw1 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rook h1; bishop b5; knights b1/e2; pawns a2/c2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e5; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: dxc6 — pawn d5→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook a8→d8).
3. Best move: Bd3 — bishop b5→d3.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move dxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/ppp3p1/2n4p/1B1Pq3/8/8/P1P1N1PP/1N1QK2R b Kkq - 2 14

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