Chess Puzzle #L7aV3 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen d8; pawns a4/b3/e5/g3/h4. Black: king g6; queen d4; pawns c6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen d4→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg5+ — queen d8→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg5 (queen e5→g5, captures queen).
3. Best move: hxg5 — pawn h4→g5, captures queen. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c6→c5).
4. Best move: Kg2 — king h3→g2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long, queen endgame. The key move is Qg5+.

Position data

FEN: 3Q4/5pp1/2p1p1k1/3pP2p/P2q3P/1P4PK/8/8 b - - 1 41

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