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

Position

White: king e1; queen e6; rooks a1/f1; bishop d2; pawns a2/d4/g2/g5. Black: king g7; queen c3; rooks a8/h8; pawns a7/c4/e7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa1+ — queen c3→a1, captures rook, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ke2 — king e1→e2. Opponent replies Qxf1+ (queen a1→f1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf1 — king e2→f1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Ke2.

Position data

FEN: r6r/p3p1kp/4Q3/6P1/2pP4/2q5/P2B2P1/R3KR2 b - - 1 27

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