Chess Puzzle #lKwe5 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rook f1; pawns b3/c4/g2/h4. Black: king g5; queen d3; rook a2; pawns f5/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh4 — king g5→h4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf4+ — queen c7→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king h4→h5).
3. Best move: Rf3 — rook f1→f3. Opponent replies Ra1+ (rook a2→a1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king h1→h2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Qf4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/2Q5/6pp/5pk1/2P4P/1P1q4/r5P1/5R1K b - - 0 42

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