Chess Puzzle #2gdGi — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e4; rook d1; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen h6; rook h8; pawns a5/b4/b7/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook h8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg4+ — queen e4→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Qg5 (queen h6→g5).
3. Best move: Qxc8 — queen g4→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Qg4+.

Position data

FEN: 7r/1p3pkp/5p1q/p7/1p2Q3/7P/P1P2PPK/3R4 b - - 1 27

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