Chess Puzzle #oL2lX — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook d8; knight d6; pawns b4/e3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook a4; knight f8; pawns a7/b6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd8 — queen e7→d8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f4→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qd5 — queen f7→d5. Opponent replies Ra1+ (rook a4→a1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg2 — king g1→g2. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen d8→d6, captures knight).
5. Best move: Qxd6 — queen d5→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3R1nk1/p3qppp/1p1N4/8/rP3QP1/4P2P/5P2/6K1 b - - 7 37

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