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

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rook e1; pawns a3/b2/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen g6; rook d5; bishop d7; pawns a6/b5/d4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bh3 — bishop d7→h3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen e8→g6, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg6 (king h7→g6, captures queen).
4. Best move: gxh3 — pawn g2→h3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, long. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7k/3bQ1p1/p5qp/1p1r4/3p4/P4P2/1PP3PP/4R1K1 b - - 1 39

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