Chess Puzzle #1esz4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook d7; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king a8; queen g5; rooks e5/f8; pawns a6/b7/f3. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg6 — queen g5→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook f8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king a8→a7).
4. Best move: Qd4+ — queen d8→d4, gives check. Opponent replies b6 (pawn b7→b6).
5. Best move: Qxe5 — queen d4→e5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, very long. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: k4r2/1p1R4/p7/4r1q1/7P/2P2pP1/PP3P2/3Q2K1 b - - 0 44

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