Chess Puzzle #gxqf8 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen g6; rook g1; bishops c2/g3; pawns a2/b4/c3/e3/e5. Black: king g8; queen c4; rook f8; bishops d7/e7; pawns a3/b5/c6/d5/f5/g5/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa2 — queen c4→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh1 — rook g1→h1. Opponent replies Rf6 (rook f8→f6).
3. Best move: exf6 — pawn e5→f6, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxf6 (bishop e7→f6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rh7 — rook h1→h7. Opponent replies Bxc3+ (bishop f6→c3, captures pawn, gives check).
5. Best move: Kxc3 — king d2→c3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move is Rh1.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/3bb1p1/2p3Q1/1p1pPpp1/1Pq5/p1P1P1B1/P1BK4/6R1 b - - 11 43

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