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

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rook h5; pawns a2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e4; rook f8; pawns a4/b3/e5/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb1+ — queen e4→b1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kh2 — king h1→h2. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h5→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Qc4+ — queen h4→c4, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Kh2.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/5pp1/8/4p2R/p3q2Q/1p5P/P5P1/7K b - - 1 43

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