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

Position

White: king b1; queen f5; rook e6; pawns a2/b2/f2. Black: king c5; queen c7; rook a8; knight d5; pawns a5/b7/f3. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc2+ — queen f5→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Nc3+ (knight d5→c3, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen c2→c3, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/1pq5/4R3/p1kn1Q2/8/5p2/PP3P2/1K6 b - - 0 33

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