Chess Puzzle #Ju9pX — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen b7; rooks d1/h1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e6; rooks a8/h8; bishop c3; knight b8; pawns a7/c7/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen e6→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen b7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
3. Best move: Qxh8 — queen c8→h8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short, skewer. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: rn2k2r/pQp2p1p/4qp2/8/3P4/2b5/PPP2PPP/2KR3R b kq - 0 13

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