Chess Puzzle #1OQeW — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen c4; rooks e2/e3; pawns b4/c3/f4/g5/h5. Black: king g8; queen f5; rooks d3/d5; knight g6; pawn a6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf4+ — queen f5→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf4 — queen c4→f4, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxf4 (knight g6→f4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Kxf4 — king g3→f4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, master, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/8/p5n1/3r1qPP/1PQ2P2/2PrR1K1/4R3/8 b - - 0 47

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