Chess Puzzle #Qf85x — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks a1/e1; bishop g3; knight c4; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d5; rooks d8/h8; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d4/e5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b7→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa6+ — queen a4→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Nxe5 — knight c4→e5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Qa6+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/ppp3p1/2n2n1p/3qp3/Q1Np4/6B1/PP3PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 5 19

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