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

Position

White: king h2; queen g3; rook c4; bishop d4; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d1; rook e8; knight d5; pawns a7/b7/c6/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook e8→e1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen g3→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Qxb7+ — queen b8→b7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king f7→g6).
4. Best move: Qxc6 — queen b7→c6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, long. The key move Qxb7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp4pp/2p2p2/3n4/2RB4/P5QP/1P3PPK/3q4 b - - 9 33

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