Chess Puzzle #0Jp6U — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; queen d1; pawns a4/e5/f4/g3/h5. Black: king h7; queen c4; pawns a5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3+ — queen c4→c3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd3+ — queen d1→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd3+ (queen c3→d3, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxd3 — king e3→d3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short. The key move is Qd3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/5ppk/4p2p/p3P2P/P1q2P2/4K1P1/8/3Q4 b - - 1 49

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