Chess Puzzle #CuH7h — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g2; rook f3; pawns a5/b4/d6/e4. Black: king e6; queen h4; rook g8; pawns a6/e5/g3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe4 — queen h4→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa2+ — queen g2→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e6→d7).
3. Best move: Qf7+ — queen a2→f7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move is Qa2+.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/8/p2Pk3/P3p3/1P2P2q/5Rp1/6Q1/6K1 b - - 2 52

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