Chess Puzzle #Ju3PV — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f4; rooks b2/c1; pawns c3/f2/g3/h3. Black: king h7; queen c5; rooks a3/c6; pawns d3/e4/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook a3→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c1→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen c5→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf5+ — queen f4→f5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
4. Best move: Rb7+ — rook b2→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Rc7 (rook c6→c7).
5. Best move: Qc8 — queen f5→c8. Opponent replies Rxb7 (rook c7→b7, captures rook).
6. Best move: Qxc3 — queen c8→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, pin, very long. The key move Qxf5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pk/2r4p/2q2p2/4pQ2/r1Pp2PP/1R3P1K/2R5 b - - 4 41

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