Chess Puzzle #i0hQP — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; queen e5; rook a1; bishop b7; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g3/h6. Black: king f7; queen h2; rooks c8/h8; bishop f5; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc4 — rook c8→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg7+ — queen e5→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f7→e8).
3. Best move: Qxh8+ — queen g7→h8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxh8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r4r/pB3k1p/1p2p1pP/3pQb2/8/2N1K1P1/PPP4q/R7 b - - 4 24

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