Chess Puzzle #J7Gy0 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen b5; rooks a1/d3; bishop f3; pawns a6/c5/e3/f2/g2. Black: king h8; queen d4; rooks b8/g8; knight c6; pawns b7/c7/d5/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4 — queen d4→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4 — queen b5→b4, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxb4 (knight c6→b4, captures queen).
3. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4rk/1pp2p2/P1n1p2p/1QPp4/3q4/3RPB2/4KPP1/R7 b - - 1 28

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