Chess Puzzle #C1Gjl — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; knight e5; pawns a2/e4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c8; rook f8; pawns a7/c6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c6→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc6 — knight e5→c6. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen c8→c6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen d6→c6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2q1kr2/p4ppp/2pQ4/4N3/4PP2/8/P5PP/6K1 b - - 0 30

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