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

Position

White: king h2; queen g5; rook e5; pawns a4/c3/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen c8; rook b2; bishop f5; pawns a5/c4/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra2 — rook b2→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh5+ — queen g5→h5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen c8→e8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen h5→e8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxh5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2q5/6pk/8/p3RbQp/P1p5/2P4P/1r4PK/8 b - - 6 37

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