Chess Puzzle #2QDFu — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rook d4; bishop b5; pawns a4/b3/e5/g4/h3. Black: king b6; queen g7; rook d8; bishop c5; pawns a5/b4/e6/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc6+ — queen e4→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b6→a7).
3. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen c6→c5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king a7→b8).
4. Best move: Qxd4 — queen c5→d4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/6q1/1k2p3/pBb1P3/Pp1RQ1Pp/1P5P/8/7K b - - 0 37

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