Chess Puzzle #LJ1Gd — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks a1/f1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/g3. Black: king f8; queen c8; rooks a8/d5; bishop d4; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/f5/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb2 — bishop d4→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb4+ — queen h4→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
3. Best move: Qxb2 — queen b4→b2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Qb4+.

Position data

FEN: r1q2k2/pp3p2/2p1p3/3r1p2/3b3Q/5NP1/PP3PP1/R4RK1 b - - 1 24

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