Chess Puzzle #3OgLg — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/d3; knight e5; pawns a2/b3/c2/e4/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/f8; bishop h4; knight g5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng4 — knight e5→g4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa1 — queen f6→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxh6+ (knight g4→h6, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: gxh6 — pawn g7→h6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/ppp2pp1/5q1p/4N1n1/4P2b/1P1B3P/P1P2P2/R1BQRK2 w - - 1 19

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