Chess Puzzle #4uYg0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rook d1; pawns a3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c4; rook c8; pawns b5/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen c4→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen b2→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5p1p/6p1/1p6/2q5/P6P/1Q3PP1/3R2K1 b - - 0 29

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