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

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks e1/f1; bishops d3/e3; pawns a2/b3/g2/h2. Black: king a7; queen f6; rooks d8/h8; bishop d6; knight c7; pawns a6/d5/f3/f7/g4/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka8 — king a7→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc6+ — queen c4→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king a8→b8).
3. Best move: Qb6+ — queen c6→b6, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The key move is Qc6+.

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/k1n2p2/p2b1q2/3p3p/2Q3p1/1P1BBp2/P5PP/4RRK1 b - - 1 27

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