Chess Puzzle #ow06z — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks d1/f1; bishops g6/h6; pawns a2/c2/c4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b2; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knights c7/d7; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen b2→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bf4 — bishop h6→f4. Opponent replies Qc5+ (queen e5→c5, gives check).
3. Best move: Be3 — bishop f4→e3. Opponent replies Qxe3+ (queen c5→e3, captures bishop, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxe3 — queen g3→e3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Bf4.

Position data

FEN: r1b2r1k/ppnn1pp1/4p1BB/4P3/2P5/6Q1/PqP3PP/3R1RK1 b - - 0 19

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