Chess Puzzle #GL9I2 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook f1; pawns a2/b3/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c6; rook g8; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/c7/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc2 — queen c6→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen f4→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rg7 (rook g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qd8+ — queen f6→d8, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Qxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/pbp2p1p/1pq2p2/8/5Q2/1P3P2/P1P3PP/5RK1 b - - 2 22

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