Chess Puzzle #41f5X — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1375 · Intermediate · advantage, endgame, fork, master, queen rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen e8; pawns b4/b6/g2/h3. Black: king a7; rooks d1/f2; pawns c7/f4/g5/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: cxb6 — pawn c7→b6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen e8→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king a7→b8).
  3. Best move: Qxd1 — queen a4→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, master, queen rook endgame, short. The key move is Qa4+.

Position data

FEN: 4Q3/k1p5/1P6/6p1/1P3p1p/7P/5rPK/3r4 b - - 0 42

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.