Chess Puzzle #rZpni — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen c2; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; knights b1/g1; pawns a2/b2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/d6; knight d5; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf4 — knight d5→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxf4 — bishop c1→f4, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxf4 (bishop d6→f4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qa4+ — queen c2→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Bd7 (bishop c8→d7).
4. Best move: Qxf4 — queen a4→f4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, long, opening. The key move Bxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bqk2r/pp3ppp/3bp3/3n4/5P2/8/PPQ3PP/RNB1K1NR b KQkq - 0 11

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