Chess Puzzle #0ZhuC — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook d1; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook d8; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd6 — rook d8→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qe5+ — queen e8→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Rf6 (rook d6→f6).
4. Best move: Qxc7 — queen e5→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qe8+.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/ppq2p1p/2p3p1/8/8/2P3P1/PP2QPP1/3R2K1 b - - 0 24

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