Chess Puzzle #5meRd — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen a4; knight f3; pawns a2/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a1; knight d1; pawns a7/c4/d5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen a4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Ne5 — knight f3→e5. Opponent replies Qxe5+ (queen a1→e5, captures knight, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen e8→e5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4ppp/8/3p4/Q1p5/4PN1P/P4PPK/q2n4 b - - 1 28

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