Chess Puzzle #t8UXb — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen a6; rook e6; bishop g2; pawns a2/b3/c2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen c5; rook f2; bishop c6; pawns a3/b4/d4/d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook f2→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook e6→c6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen c5→c6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc6 — queen a6→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc6 (rook c2→c6, captures queen).
4. Best move: Bxd5+ — bishop g2→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Re6 (rook c6→e6).
5. Best move: Bxe6+ — bishop d5→e6, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, crushing, endgame, fork, master, very long. The key move Bxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6pp/Q1b1R3/2qp4/1p1p3P/pP4P1/P1P2rBK/8 b - - 4 31

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