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

Position

White: king e2; queen c3; rooks d2/g3; knight f3; pawns e3/g2. Black: king g8; queen h5; rooks b1/b8; knight g4; pawns f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight g4→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf6 — queen c3→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qb5+ (queen h5→b5, gives check).
3. Best move: Rd3 — rook d2→d3. Opponent replies Qb2+ (queen b5→b2, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxb2 — queen f6→b2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5pp1/7p/7q/6n1/2Q1PNR1/3RK1P1/1r6 b - - 7 35

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