Chess Puzzle #1rp2M — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e3; knight e4; pawns a4/b5/c5/f3/h2/h4. Black: king b8; queen e5; rook g1; bishop h3; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/h5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxg1 — king h1→g1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen e5→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen a1→f1, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move is Qa1+.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/ppp5/5p2/1PP1q2p/P3N2P/4QP1b/7P/6rK w - - 0 31

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