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

Rating 1860 · Advanced · deflection, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f2; queen b4; rooks a1/h1; bishop e3; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d5. Black: king d6; queen g6; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knights c4/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxd5 — king d6→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook h1→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d5→e6).
  3. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen b4→c4, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

deflection, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4bnr/ppp2ppp/3k2q1/3Pp3/1Qn5/2P1B3/PP3K2/RN5R b - - 3 17

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.