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

Position

White: king h2; queen f6; knight d5; pawns b2/b5/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen d7; rook e1; knights f8/g7; pawns a5/b4/c5/h5/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe6 — queen d7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen f6→f8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qg8 (queen e6→g8).
3. Best move: Qxg8+ — queen f8→g8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg8 (king h8→g8, captures queen).
4. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, long. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5n1k/3q2np/5Q2/pPpN3p/1p6/7P/1PP2PPK/4r3 b - - 0 35

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