Chess Puzzle #CXoc4 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e8; pawns a2/c3/c5/d5/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g6; queen f3; rook b1; pawns a7/f6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf5 — king g6→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: g4+ — pawn g3→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf4 (king f5→f4).
3. Best move: Qa4+ — queen e8→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Qe4 (queen f3→e4).
4. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen a4→e4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe4 (king f4→e4, captures queen).
5. Best move: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e4→d3).
6. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, very long. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4Q3/p7/5pkp/2PP2p1/8/2P2qPP/P4P1K/1r6 b - - 1 35

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