Chess Puzzle #K3uEI — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; queen f7; rook f1; pawns a4/b4/c3/e3. Black: king d8; queen h3; rook g2; pawns a6/b7/e5/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e4+ — pawn e5→e4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kc4 — king d3→c4. Opponent replies Qc8+ (queen h3→c8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kb3 — king c4→b3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, short. The key move is Kc4.

Position data

FEN: 3k4/1p3Qp1/p7/4p2p/PP6/2PKP2q/6r1/5R2 b - - 9 38

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