Chess Puzzle #9n0ug — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks b1/d1; knight e3; pawns a3/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/e2; bishop d4; knight d7; pawns a7/b5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe3 — bishop d4→e3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe2 — queen g4→e2, captures rook. Opponent replies Bd4 (bishop e3→d4).
3. Best move: Qe4 — queen e2→e4.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p2n1p1p/1q4p1/1p6/3b2Q1/P3N1P1/1P2rP1P/1R1R2K1 b - - 1 24

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