Chess Puzzle #01RBb — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen d3; rooks a1/h1; bishop f4; pawns a2/b3/c2/g3/h4. Black: king c8; queen e6; rook e7; bishop c3; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/f6/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen d3→c3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe2+ — queen e6→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f2→g1).
3. Best move: Nf3+ — knight d4→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf3 (queen c3→f3, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxf3 — queen e2→f3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Qe2+.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/ppp1r3/4qpp1/3p4/3n1B1P/1PbQ2P1/P1P2K2/R6R w - - 0 24

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