Chess Puzzle #oF3aS — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop b2; pawns b4/c5/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a7/a8; bishop f6; pawns b5/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb2 — bishop f6→b2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: d6 — pawn d5→d6. Opponent replies Bxa1 (bishop b2→a1, captures rook).
3. Best move: dxc7 — pawn d6→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, equality, middlegame, short. The key move is d6.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/r1q2ppp/2p1pb2/1pPP4/1P6/7P/1B2QPP1/R4RK1 b - - 0 23

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