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

Position

White: king e2; queen c1; knight f2; pawns a3/b2/d4/d5/f3/h3. Black: king g8; queen g3; bishop e6; pawns a4/b3/b7/f4/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd5 — bishop e6→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qf5+ — queen c8→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Qg6 (queen g3→g6).
4. Best move: Qxd5 — queen f5→d5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p4p1/4b3/3P3p/p2P1p2/Pp3PqP/1P2KN2/2Q5 b - - 0 37

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