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

Position

White: king h2; queen g5; knight d2; pawns c5/d4/e4/e5/h6. Black: king d7; queen e1; bishop c6; pawns a6/b2/d5/e6/f5/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd2+ — queen e1→d2, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd2 — queen g5→d2, captures queen. Opponent replies b1=Q (pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen).
3. Best move: h7 — pawn h6→h7. Opponent replies dxe4 (pawn d5→e4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: d5 — pawn d4→d5.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxd2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/3k1p2/p1b1p2P/2PpPpQ1/3PP3/8/1p1N3K/4q3 b - - 4 40

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