Chess Puzzle #2vHak — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e2; rook d6; pawns a3/b4/e5/f4/g3/h4. Black: king h7; queen c1; bishop a7; pawns a6/b5/e3/e6/g6/g7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa6 — rook d6→a6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc4 — queen c1→c4. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen e2→c4, captures queen).
3. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxa7 (rook a6→a7, captures bishop).
4. Best move: e2 — pawn e3→e2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, sacrifice. The key move is Qc4.

Position data

FEN: 8/b5pk/p2Rp1p1/1p2P2p/1P3P1P/P3p1P1/4Q2K/2q5 w - - 7 38

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