Chess Puzzle #nx6nc — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen b6; rook b5; bishop f2; knight c5; pawns a4/c2/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c8; rooks a8/d8; knight f4; pawns d4/e5/f6/g5/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook a8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf6 — queen b6→f6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxb5 (rook b8→b5, captures rook).
3. Best move: axb5 — pawn a4→b5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1qr2k1/8/1Q3p2/1RN1p1p1/P2pPn1p/5P2/2P2BPP/5K2 b - - 0 38

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