Chess Puzzle #29W3N — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; knights d5/e5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c5/c8; pawns a7/b7/c6/c7/f5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxd5 — pawn c6→d5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh5+ — queen d1→h5, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
3. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen h5→g6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bqk2r/ppp3p1/2p4p/2bNNp2/4P3/3P4/PPP2PPP/R2QK2R b KQkq - 0 10

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