Chess Puzzle #C8LQj — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook d8; pawns a3/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook c8; bishop b2; pawns a6/b6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf5+ — queen f3→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Qg6 (queen c6→g6).
3. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen f5→g6, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies fxg6 (pawn f7→g6, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc8 — rook d8→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rR2k1/5pp1/ppq4p/8/8/PP3Q2/1b3PPP/6K1 b - - 1 26

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