Chess Puzzle #oxVk4 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook f1; bishop c4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/e3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king e6; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knight d5; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd7 — queen d8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e4 — pawn e3→e4. Opponent replies Bc5+ (bishop f8→c5, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e6→e7).
4. Best move: exd5 — pawn e4→d5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move is e4.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1b1r/pp4pp/2p1k3/3nP3/2B5/2N1PQ2/PP4PP/5RK1 b - - 0 14

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