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

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks a1/f1; pawns a2/d4/f6/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b4; rooks a8/f8; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/e4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rae8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: f7+ — pawn f6→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e5→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, deflection, endgame, fork, short. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp4p1/2p2P1p/3pQ3/1q1Pp3/7P/P5P1/R4RK1 b - - 0 28

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