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

Position

White: king h1; queen h5; rook a1; bishops c1/e6; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen f2; rook a8; bishop f1; knight e5; pawns a7/c6/e7/f7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bh3 — bishop e6→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxg2+ — bishop f1→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxg2 (bishop h3→g2, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qe1+ — queen f2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Bf1 (bishop g2→f1).
4. Best move: Qxf1# — queen e1→f1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3k3/p3pp2/2p1B2p/4n1pQ/8/2N5/PPP2qPP/R1B2b1K w q - 1 20

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