Chess Puzzle #Ahcut — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d6; rook a6; bishop g3; knight c7; pawns a2/b3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c1; rook c8; bishop g7; knight e5; pawns b6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen c1→c7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc7 — queen d6→c7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c8→c7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
4. Best move: Bxe5 — bishop g3→e5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2N2pbp/Rp1Q2p1/4n3/4P3/1P4BP/P4PPK/2q5 b - - 6 30

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