Chess Puzzle #fiZLs — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks d6/f6; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook a8; bishop d7; knight e6; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd3+ — queen g3→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
3. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d6→d7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, master, middlegame, short. The key move is Qd3+.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp1bq1p1/2pRnR1p/4P3/8/6QP/PPP3P1/6K1 b - - 8 26

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