Chess Puzzle #53VAc — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen f5; pawns a2/b2/d4/f6/g4/h2. Black: king d7; queen d6; rook c6; pawns b7/f4/f7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe6 — queen d6→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen e6→f5, captures queen).
3. Best move: dxc6+ — pawn d5→c6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc6 (king d7→c6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: gxf5 — pawn g4→f5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, intermezzo, long, sacrifice. The key move dxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p1k1p2/2rq1P2/5Q2/3P1pP1/7K/PP5P/8 b - - 2 41

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