Chess Puzzle #KQ11U — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; rook e7; bishop f1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks a8/d8; bishop f5; pawns a6/b5/f4/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd6 — queen c6→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qxd6 — queen a3→d6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd6 (rook d8→d6, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxa8 — rook e8→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Re8+.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/4Rp2/p1q3pp/1p3b2/5p2/Q1P2N1P/PP3PP1/5BK1 b - - 0 29

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