Chess Puzzle #vFpkH — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f5; rooks a1/f3; pawns b3/c4/d3/e6. Black: king f8; queen b7; rooks d2/g7; bishop b6; pawns b4/c5/d4/f7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc7 — bishop b6→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen f5→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
3. Best move: exf7+ — pawn e6→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook g7→f7, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Re1+ — rook a1→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
5. Best move: Qb5+ — queen c5→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Qc6 (queen b7→c6).
6. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen b5→c6, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc6 (king d7→c6, captures queen).
7. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f3→f7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, attack on f2/f7, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Qxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/1q3pr1/1b2P3/2p2Q2/1pPp4/1P1P1R2/3r4/R6K b - - 0 37

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