Chess Puzzle #vHsX3 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen a5; rook a8; bishops c4/e3; knight e5; pawns c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen h1; rooks d8/h8; bishops d6/f5; knight f6; pawns b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe5 — bishop d6→e5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb5+ — queen a5→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d7→e7).
3. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen b5→e5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Be6 (bishop f5→e6).
4. Best move: d5 — pawn d4→d5.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: R2r3r/1p1k1ppp/3b1n2/Q3Nb2/2BP4/2P1B3/4KPPP/7q b - - 0 19

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