Chess Puzzle #7oBlS — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook a1; knights f7/g3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook a8; bishops c8/e7; pawns a6/b4/c5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxf7 — king g8→f7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh5+ — queen d1→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f7→g8).
3. Best move: Qd5+ — queen h5→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Qxa8 — queen d5→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Qh5+.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/2q1bNp1/p6p/2p5/1p1PP3/6NP/PPP3P1/R2Q2K1 b - - 0 21

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