Chess Puzzle #P2J5C — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen h4; rook h1; bishops f1/f6; knight d2; pawns e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c1; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight b4; pawns a7/b7/c4/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c3 — pawn c4→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh6 — queen h4→h6. Opponent replies Qxd2+ (queen c1→d2, captures knight, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf3 — king e2→f3. Opponent replies Qd5+ (queen d2→d5, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg3 — king f3→g3.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move is Qh6.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/pp3p1p/4pBp1/8/1np4Q/4P3/3NKPPP/2q2B1R b - - 1 19

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