Chess Puzzle #2iIE3 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h3; rook c5; knight d7; pawns a3/b4/g2/h2. Black: king c7; queen c6; rook h8; bishop f3; knight d4; pawns a4/e5/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxg2+ — bishop f3→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg2 — queen h3→g2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king c7→d7, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c5→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxg2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 7r/2kN3p/2q2pp1/2R1p3/pP1n4/P4b1Q/6PP/7K b - - 9 39

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