Chess Puzzle #qd9UI — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen f6; rook c1; bishop h6; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/f2/g5. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks d8/h4; bishop d3; pawns a6/e5/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf5+ — bishop d3→f5, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen f6→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Ne4 — knight c3→e4. Opponent replies Rxe4 (rook h4→e4, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures queen. Opponent replies Rd4+ (rook e4→d4, gives check).
5. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d8→d4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, hanging piece, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5p2/p4QpB/2q1p1P1/7r/P1Nb4/1P1K1P2/2R5 b - - 10 33

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