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

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks c1/f1; bishop b2; knights d2/f3; pawns a2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks c8/f8; bishops b6/b7; knight g6; pawns a6/d7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ba5 — bishop b6→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd4 — queen c4→d4. Opponent replies e5 (pawn e6→e5).
3. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c1→c7, captures queen. Opponent replies exd4 (pawn e5→d4, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxb7 — rook c7→b7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, long, middlegame. The key move is Qd4.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1bqp1ppp/pb2p1n1/8/2Q1P3/5N2/PB1N1PPP/2R2RK1 b - - 0 19

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