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

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; rook c1; knight e5; pawns a3/d6/f5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b5; rook e2; bishop c5; knight f8; pawns a7/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen b5→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen d5→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: f6 — pawn f5→f6. Opponent replies Rxg2 (rook e2→g2, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kxg2 — king h1→g2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qb2+ (queen b6→b2, gives check).
5. Best move: Kh3 — king g2→h3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5nk1/p4pp1/3P3p/1qbQNP2/8/P7/4r1PP/2R4K b - - 1 32

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