Chess Puzzle #FQ0Ei — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook e3; knight e7; pawns b2/c3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen c6; rook d8; bishop g7; pawns c4/c5/d2/f5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa4 — queen c6→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa4 — queen d1→a4, captures queen. Opponent replies d1=Q+ (pawn d2→d1, promotes to queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxd1 — queen a4→d1, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd1+ (rook d8→d1, captures queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf2 — king g1→f2.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, hanging piece, long. The key move Qxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/4N1bk/2q3p1/2p2p1p/2p2P2/2P1R3/1P1p2PP/3Q2K1 b - - 1 37

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