Chess Puzzle #SA5IN — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h3; rooks a1/e2; bishop c2; pawns a2/b2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rooks a8/f8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/d4/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe2 — queen g4→e2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h3→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Bg6+ — bishop c2→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
4. Best move: Qxg7+ — queen h7→g7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1b4pp/p3p3/1p2P3/3p2q1/7Q/PPB1RPPP/R5K1 b - - 1 22

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