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

Rating 2330 · Expert · advantage, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king h1; queen h2; rooks b7/f1; bishop h6; pawns a2/b2/f3. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook e4; bishop d4; knight d5; pawns a6/c5/d6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re2 — rook e4→e2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
  3. Best move: Rf8+ — rook b8→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
  4. Best move: Qxe2+ — queen h2→e2, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1R5p/p2p2pB/2pn1q2/3br3/5P2/PP5Q/5R1K b - - 2 29

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.