Chess Puzzle #fqFg0 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c4; queen a8; rook b1; pawns a4/c2/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook e7; bishop c3; pawns a5/c7/e3/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf8 — queen f5→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8 — rook b1→b8. Opponent replies Qxb8 (queen f8→b8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen a8→b8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: fxe3 — pawn f2→e3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, pin. The key move Qxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: Q5k1/2p1r1pp/8/p4q2/P1K5/2b1p3/2P2PP1/1R6 b - - 0 24

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