Chess Puzzle #6Zg8Q — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f7; rook f4; bishop c6; pawns a3/b2/c2/e6/g2/h3. Black: king d8; queen a1; rooks a8/g8; knight e7; pawns a6/b7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc6 — pawn b7→c6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd4+ — rook f4→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d8→c8).
3. Best move: Qxe7 — queen f7→e7, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxb2 (queen a1→b2, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qd7+ — queen e7→d7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Rd4+.

Position data

FEN: r2k2r1/1p2nQ2/p1B1P1p1/8/5R2/P6P/1PP3PK/q7 b - - 0 29

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