Chess Puzzle #ehO0E — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen c7; rook a4; bishop f2; pawns b4/c5/e3/f3. Black: king g8; queen g2; rook b8; bishop f8; pawns c4/d5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook b8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd7 — queen c7→d7. Opponent replies Qg6 (queen g2→g6).
3. Best move: Qxe8 — queen d7→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move is Qd7.

Position data

FEN: 1r3bk1/2Q2pp1/7p/2Pp4/RPp5/4PP2/4KBq1/8 b - - 3 33

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