Chess Puzzle #3jdAP — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d5; rooks c3/g3; pawns a5/c6/f2/h5. Black: king g8; queen e1; rooks e4/e8; pawns a6/b5/f7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: R8e5 — rook e8→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Rcf3 — rook c3→f3. Opponent replies Re7 (rook e5→e7).
4. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Qd8+.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5p2/p1P4p/Pp1Q2pP/4r3/2R3R1/5PK1/4q3 b - - 2 43

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