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

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks a1/d1; bishop f1; pawns a6/c4/e3/f2/g3. Black: king c7; queen b6; rook g6; bishops e6/e7; knight f6; pawns a7/c6/e4/f5/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg3 — pawn h4→g3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe5+ — queen c3→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king c7→c8).
3. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen e5→e6, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1k1b3/Pqp1bnr1/5p2/2P1p2p/2Q1P1P1/5P2/R2R1BK1 b - - 2 33

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