Chess Puzzle #3LC6D — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d5; rook c8; knight f3; pawns a2/b3/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen f6; rook e3; pawns a3/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen d5→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxf3+ — rook e3→f3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies gxf3 (pawn g2→f3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen f6→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/5pk1/5qpp/3Q4/8/pP2rN1P/P5P1/5K2 w - - 4 41

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