Chess Puzzle #345za — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; queen b7; rooks f2/g5; pawns a2/b2/c2/f6/g3. Black: king h8; queen g8; rook d1; knight f5; pawns a7/c6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc6 — queen b7→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nd4+ — knight f5→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king f3→g2).
3. Best move: Nxc6 — knight d4→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies f7 (pawn f6→f7).
4. Best move: Qf8 — queen g8→f8.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Nd4+.

Position data

FEN: 6qk/pQ5p/2p2Pp1/5nR1/8/5KP1/PPP2R2/3r4 w - - 5 38

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