Chess Puzzle #JWi2i — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g2; rooks d1/g7; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3. Black: king h8; queen h6; rooks b8/f5; knight b4; pawns a7/c4/d5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg7 — queen h6→g7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh2+ — queen g2→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen h2→b8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, master, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/p5R1/7q/3p1r2/1npP4/2N1P3/PP4Q1/2KR4 b - - 1 33

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