Chess Puzzle #iSmo0 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen g3; rook e7; bishop d6; pawns a2/b2/c5/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks a8/h7; pawns a7/b7/f6/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb3+ — queen g3→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxb7 — queen b3→b7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move is Qb3+.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp2R1pr/2qB1p2/2P4p/7P/6Q1/PP3KP1/8 b - - 0 27

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