Chess Puzzle #aItg8 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rook f1; bishop e3; pawns d3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook a8; bishops c8/g7; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen c7→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Bd4 — bishop e3→d4.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move is Qf7+.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/1pQ3bp/p3p1p1/3p4/8/3PB3/q5PP/5R1K b - - 1 23

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