Chess Puzzle #9XtCQ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen a7; knight f5; pawns c4/d5/f3/g4. Black: king f6; queen d8; knight c5; pawns b6/c7/d6/e5/f4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a7→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f6→f7).
3. Best move: Qg7+ — queen a1→g7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Qa1+.

Position data

FEN: 3q4/Q1p5/1p1p1k2/2nPpN2/2P2pP1/5P2/5K2/8 b - - 0 38

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