Chess Puzzle #9poBe — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c2; rooks a1/c8; pawns a2/b3/f5/h3. Black: king g8; queen f3; rooks a6/a8; pawns d6/e5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc7+ — queen c2→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king f7→f6).
3. Best move: Qd8+ — queen c7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf5 (king f6→f5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qf8+ — queen d8→f8, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qc7+.

Position data

FEN: r1R3k1/6pp/r2p4/4pP2/8/1P3q1P/P1Q4K/R7 b - - 1 28

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