Chess Puzzle #1Yhc8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/c2/c3/f7/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen h4; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc6 — knight b8→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bg5+ — bishop c1→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg5 (queen h4→g5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxg5+ — queen d5→g5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, master, middlegame, short. The key move Qxg5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rnbk1b1r/ppp2P1p/3p2p1/3Q4/7q/2P5/PPP3PP/R1B2R1K b - - 2 13

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