Chess Puzzle #s8j4k — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rook b1; knight f3; pawns a4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen d6; rooks a8/c6; pawns a5/b6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rac8 — rook a8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Re1+ — rook b1→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e7→d7).
4. Best move: Qxg7 — queen h8→g7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, pin. The key move is Qh8+.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/5ppQ/1prq4/p7/P7/5N1P/5PP1/1R4K1 b - - 0 29

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