Chess Puzzle #2hV2u — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen f4; rook h2; bishop e3; pawns a2/b3/c4/g5. Black: king g8; queen f7; rook d8; bishop e4; pawns a6/b7/c6/f5/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd3 — rook d8→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen f4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen f7→f8).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h2→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king g8→h8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen b8→f8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1p3qp1/p1p5/5pP1/2P1bQ2/1P2B1K1/P6R/8 b - - 16 44

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