Chess Puzzle #2chTW — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen c6; rook a7; pawns d4/e4/g5/h4. Black: king g7; queen d3; knight d7; pawns b4/d6/e7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka4 — king b3→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa3+ — queen d3→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king a4→b5).
3. Best move: Qxa7 — queen a3→a7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Qa3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/R2np1k1/2Qp2p1/6Pp/1p1PP2P/1K1q4/8/8 w - - 9 39

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