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

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks d1/e4; pawns c2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen b4; rooks a8/f8; bishop e7; pawns a5/a6/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb5 — queen b4→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb4 — rook e4→b4. Opponent replies Bxb4 (bishop e7→b4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen f3→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
4. Best move: Qa7+ — queen a8→a7, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3kr2/4bp2/p3p3/p3P3/1q2R3/5Q2/2P2PPP/3R2K1 b q - 0 28

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