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

Position

White: king b1; queen d1; rook h7; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c3/d3/f5. Black: king c8; queen e5; rook f8; bishop h2; knight a4; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook f8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa4 — queen d1→a4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rg1+ (rook g8→g1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kc2 — king b1→c2.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k2r2/pp3p1R/2p5/4qP2/n3N3/2PP4/PP5b/1K1Q4 b - - 0 30

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