Chess Puzzle #whSeH — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b1; rooks c3/g1; pawns b3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king h6; queen f4; rooks d2/f7; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen f4→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc1 — queen b1→c1. Opponent replies Qf4 (queen e5→f4).
3. Best move: Rf1 — rook g1→f1.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, pin, short. The key move is Qc1.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3r2/p3p1pk/3pPp1p/5q2/1PR5/3r2PP/1Q4RK b - - 9 33

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