Chess Puzzle #O1EUf — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a4; rook d1; bishop e2; pawns a2/b2/f4/g4/h3. Black: king f8; queen f2; rook h8; knight g6; pawns a6/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king f8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Nf8 (knight g6→f8).
3. Best move: Qb4 — queen a4→b4. Opponent replies Qe1+ (queen f2→e1, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxe1 — queen b4→e1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: 5k1r/1p3ppp/p3p1n1/8/Q4PP1/7P/PP2Bq2/3R3K b - - 5 31

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