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

Rating 2085 · Expert · crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, long, master.

Position

White: king h1; queen g6; rook f2; bishop c1; pawns a4/c4/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen b8; rooks f7/h4; pawns a5/f3/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: fxg2+ — pawn f3→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kg1 — king h1→g1. Opponent replies Rxf2 (rook f7→f2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Ba3+ — bishop c1→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Qb4 (queen b8→b4).
  4. Best move: Bxb4+ — bishop a3→b4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, long, master, sacrifice. The key move Bxb4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1q3k2/5r2/6Qp/p5p1/P1P4r/5p1P/5RP1/2B4K b - - 2 35

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.