Chess Puzzle #Hcgs1 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rook c1; pawns a3/c5/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen d5; rook c8; knight f6; pawns e4/f5/g5/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook c8→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa7+ — queen a4→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Nd7 (knight f6→d7).
3. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, intermezzo, pin, short. The key move is Qa7+.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/6k1/5n2/2Pq1pp1/Q3p2p/P3P2P/5PP1/2R3K1 b - - 0 39

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