Chess Puzzle #1gFnp — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; bishop h4; knights c3/e6; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e7; bishop d6; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng5 — knight e6→g5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e7→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen d3→f1).
3. Best move: Bh2+ — bishop d6→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king g1→h2, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxf1 — queen e1→f1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move is Qe1+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/ppp1q2p/2nbNnp1/3p4/3P3B/2NQ3P/PP3PP1/6K1 w - - 4 27

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