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

Position

White: king h1; queen h2; rook f1; pawns a2/c2/d5/e7/g4. Black: king d7; queen d4; rook g8; pawns a6/b7/f7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg4 — rook g8→g4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e8=Q+ — pawn e7→e8, promotes to queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe8 (king d7→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Qb8+ — queen h2→b8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, attraction, crushing, endgame, promotion, short. The key move is e8=Q+.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/1p1kPp2/p7/3P3p/3q2P1/8/P1P4Q/5R1K b - - 0 32

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