Chess Puzzle #3EI4D — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f6; rook d1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/e5/f3/h6. Black: king g8; queen g1; rook f8; bishop f5; pawns a5/c4/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc1 — king b1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe3+ — queen g1→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Rd2 (rook d1→d2).
3. Best move: Qxh6 — queen e3→h6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move is Qe3+.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/5p2/5QpP/p3Pb2/2p5/2N2P2/PP6/1K1R2q1 w - - 4 30

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