Chess Puzzle #2NTHE — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e4; rook d1; bishop b3; knight h1; pawns c2/c4/f3/g4/h3. Black: king h8; queen g5; rook e8; knight f4; pawns a7/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng3 — knight h1→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh4 — queen g5→h4. Opponent replies Rd2 (rook d1→d2).
3. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h4→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
4. Best move: Qxg3+ — queen h3→g3, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/p5pp/8/4p1q1/2P1QnP1/1B3P1P/2P4K/3R3N w - - 0 38

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