Chess Puzzle #1gVTs — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f4; rook h1; pawns a4/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g6; queen d3; bishop b4; pawns a5/c4/h4. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook h1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bd6 — bishop b4→d6. Opponent replies Qxd6+ (queen f4→d6, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxd6+ — queen d3→d6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move Qxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6k1/p7/Pbp2QPp/3q3P/5P1K/7R w - - 1 38

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