Chess Puzzle #3S4Rs — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop e3; knight c3; pawns a6/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen d7; rooks g6/g8; bishop d6; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/c7/d5/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh3 — queen d7→h3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd5 — queen d1→d5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxg3 (bishop d6→g3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: fxg3 — pawn f2→g3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxg3+ (rook g6→g3, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/p1pq3p/Ppnb1pr1/3p4/8/2N1B1P1/1P3P1P/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 22

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