Chess Puzzle #2Pzps — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen c6; knight b6; pawns a5/b4/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen g4; rook e2; pawns a6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb2 — rook e2→b2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen c6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qe5+ — queen e8→e5, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move is Qe8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p1p/pNQ3p1/P7/1P4qP/6P1/4r3/5K2 b - - 2 38

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