Chess Puzzle #3cLv8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen h6; rooks f1/h1; knight d4; pawns a2/b2/g4. Black: king g8; queen g3; rooks e4/e8; bishop d5; pawns a7/b6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd3+ — queen g3→d3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc2 — knight d4→c2. Opponent replies Qxf1+ (queen d3→f1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxf1 — rook h1→f1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, master, middlegame, short. The key move is Nc2.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p4p2/1p4pQ/3b4/3Nr1P1/6q1/PP6/1K3R1R b - - 1 27

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