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

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rook f5; pawns a2/d5/g2/g5/h3. Black: king h8; queen e8; rook e7; knight b2; pawns a4/b4/c5/d6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re1+ — rook e7→e1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: g6 — pawn g5→g6. Opponent replies hxg6 (pawn h7→g6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rg5 — rook f5→g5. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
5. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen h6→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
6. Best move: Qh7+ — queen g6→h7, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, defensive move, endgame, intermezzo, very long. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4q2k/4r2p/3p3Q/2pP1RP1/pp6/7P/Pn4P1/6K1 b - - 0 35

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