Chess Puzzle #AbcOq — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks b1/e1; pawns a4/c3/e4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f3; rooks a8/f7; pawns a7/b7/c4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e5→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Qe6+ — queen e8→e6, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, short. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp3rpp/8/4Q3/P1p1P3/2P2qP1/7P/1R2R1K1 b - - 1 28

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