Chess Puzzle #9UA4m — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e4; rook d8; pawns a3/b2/c3/f2/h4. Black: king h7; queen b3; rook f6; pawns a5/b4/c4/g6/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b4→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8 — queen e4→e8. Opponent replies Rxf2+ (rook f6→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg1 — king h2→g1. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f2→f8).
4. Best move: Qxf8 — queen e8→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Qe8.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/6pk/5rp1/p6p/1pp1Q2P/PqP5/1P3P1K/8 b - - 1 40

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