Chess Puzzle #20jh0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a1; rook f1; bishop c2; pawns d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rook b4; bishop d7; knight d5; pawns b5/c6/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf4 — knight d5→f4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen d6→f8).
3. Best move: Bh7+ — bishop c2→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g8→h7, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxf8 — queen a8→f8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move is Qa8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3b1pp1/2pqp2p/1p1n4/1r1P4/7P/2B2PP1/Q4RK1 b - - 3 26

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