Chess Puzzle #CR9DN — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d6; rook f2; bishop g4; knight g5; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/f3. Black: king g8; queen a1; rooks a8/e8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd4 — bishop g7→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc7 — queen d6→c7. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen c7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
4. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pp3pb1/3Q2p1/3P2N1/2P3B1/1P3P2/P4RK1/q7 b - - 2 29

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