Chess Puzzle #QbAf8 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f3; rook d7; pawns a2/b3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king h8; queen g6; rook e8; bishop d6; pawns b6/c5/d2/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4 — queen g6→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd6 — rook d7→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxf3+ (queen e4→f3, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf3 — king g2→f3, captures queen. Opponent replies d1=Q+ (pawn d2→d1, promotes to queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxd1 — rook d6→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, hanging piece, long. The key move Rxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/3R3p/1p1b2q1/2p5/7P/1P3QP1/P2p1PK1/8 b - - 2 28

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