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

Position

White: king c1; queen b3; rooks c3/g1; knight d6; pawns a5/b2/c2/d4/e5/g5/h2. Black: king a7; queen c7; rooks b8/g8; bishop c6; knight h6; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf7 — knight h6→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb6+ — queen b3→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Qxb6 (queen c7→b6, captures queen).
3. Best move: axb6+ — pawn a5→b6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move axb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4r1/kpq3p1/p1bNp2n/P2pP1P1/3P4/1QR5/1PP4P/2K3R1 b - - 0 38

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