Chess Puzzle #k1oZW — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e4; rooks d1/e1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d7; rooks c8/h8; bishop e7; pawns a6/b7/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd6 — queen d7→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe7+ — queen e4→e7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe7 (queen d6→e7, captures queen).
3. Best move: d6 — pawn d5→d6. Opponent replies Rxc2+ (rook c8→c2, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxc2 — king c1→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice. The key move Qxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1k2r/1p1qbp1p/p4p2/3P4/4Q3/8/PPP2PPP/2KRR3 b k - 0 21

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