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

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks c1/c2; bishop d2; knight d4; pawns a2/e5/f2/h3. Black: king h7; queen a4; rooks c7/c8; bishops d5/g7; pawns a6/c4/e6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook c8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh4+ — queen g4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Qd8+ — queen h4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
4. Best move: Qxc7 — queen d8→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Qh4+.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/2r2pbk/p3p1p1/3bP3/q1pN2Q1/7P/P1RB1P2/2R3K1 b - - 0 30

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