Chess Puzzle #6ZA4Z — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen e3; pawns a3/c6/f2/f4. Black: king g7; rooks c7/d5; pawns a7/d2/f5/f6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc6 — rook c7→c6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe7+ — queen e3→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king g7→g6).
3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e7→e8, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen rook endgame, short. The key move is Qe7+.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1r3k1/2P2p1p/3r1p2/5P2/P3Q3/3p1P2/3K4 b - - 0 46

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