Chess Puzzle #OEnXc — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rook d1; bishop a4; pawns a2/b2/f2/f7/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen c6; rook c8; bishop e5; knight f4; pawns a7/b7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc4 — queen c6→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd7 — queen g4→d7. Opponent replies Qe6 (queen c4→e6).
3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen d7→e8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Qd7.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k2/pp3P1p/2q3p1/4b3/B4nQ1/7P/PP3PP1/3R2K1 b - - 4 26

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