Chess Puzzle #8snW3 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen g5; rook c1; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f6/h2. Black: king d7; queen c7; rook c8; bishop b5; knight e5; pawns a5/b4/d6/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd3 — knight e5→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb5+ — queen g5→b5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king d7→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd3 — queen b5→d3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, fork, hanging piece, short. The key move Qxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/2qk1p2/3ppP2/pb2n1Q1/1p2P3/8/PPP4P/1KR5 b - - 0 32

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