Chess Puzzle #0fhsx — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b8; rook c1; pawns a5/c5/g2. Black: king g6; queen d5; rook c6; pawns a6/f6/g5/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook c6→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen b8→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g6→h7).
3. Best move: Qe7+ — queen e8→e7, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1Q6/8/p1r2pk1/P1Pq2pp/8/8/6P1/2R4K b - - 3 39

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