Chess Puzzle #n4nij — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b3; rook e1; bishop d5; pawns b2/c2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen c7; rook h8; bishop f8; pawns a7/d7/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf4 — queen c7→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc3 — queen b3→c3. Opponent replies Qb4 (queen f4→b4).
3. Best move: Qf6+ — queen c3→f6, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move is Qc3.

Position data

FEN: 3k1b1r/p1qp3p/6p1/3B1p2/5P2/1Q6/1PP3PP/4R2K b - - 2 30

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