Chess Puzzle #kM37p — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rook e1; pawns a2/c3/c6/f2/g2/h3. Black: king d8; queen g6; rook h8; pawns a5/b6/c5/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook h8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen a4→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Qd6 (queen g6→d6).
3. Best move: Qxd6+ — queen d1→d6, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies cxd6 (pawn c7→d6, captures queen).
4. Best move: c7+ — pawn c6→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc7 (king d8→c7, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Rxe8 — rook e1→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, deflection, endgame, very long. The key move Qxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3k3r/2p2ppp/1pP3q1/p1p5/Q7/2P4P/P4PP1/4R1K1 b - - 0 25

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