Chess Puzzle #a86y0 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/g2/h3. Black: king f7; queen e5; pawns a6/b5/c5/e4/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen e5→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen e3→d4, captures queen. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c5→d4, captures queen).
3. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a6→b5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Opponent replies bxa4 (pawn b5→a4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b3→a4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen endgame, very long. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5k1p/p5p1/1ppPq3/2P1p3/1P2Q2P/P5P1/6K1 b - - 0 28

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