Chess Puzzle #8h56T — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d2; rook c1; bishop e2; knight g2; pawns a3/c4/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen f2; rook f3; bishop e6; knight c5; pawns a7/b6/e4/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg3 — rook f3→g3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qc7+ — queen d8→c7, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Qd8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p7/1p2b1pp/2n5/2P1p3/P4rPP/3QBqNK/2R5 b - - 7 33

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