Chess Puzzle #3ggyp — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e5; rook a1; bishop f4; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/g2/h3. Black: king d7; queen f7; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; knight a5; pawns a7/c6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc4 — knight a5→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc7+ — queen e5→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d7→e8).
3. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen c7→c6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b4r/p2k1qpp/2p5/n3Q3/3P1B2/7P/PPP3P1/RN5K b - - 6 21

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