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

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; bishop d2; pawns a5/c4/d3/f2/h2. Black: king f5; queen b7; rook e2; pawns a6/c5/d4/f7/g4/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f6 — pawn f7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf4+ — queen h6→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f5→e6).
3. Best move: Qxg4+ — queen f4→g4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king e6→f7).
4. Best move: Qxe2 — queen g4→e2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, fork, long, master. The key move Qxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1q3p2/p5pQ/P1p2k2/2Pp2p1/3P4/3BrP1P/6K1 b - - 7 41

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