Chess Puzzle #3ru2Y — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d2; rook e1; knights c2/e2; pawns a5/b6/c5/d4/f3/g4/h5. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook e8; bishop b8; pawns a6/b7/c6/d5/f6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne3 — knight c2→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh2+ — queen c7→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g2→f1).
3. Best move: Bf4 — bishop b8→f4. Opponent replies Nxf4 (knight e2→f4, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxd2 — queen h2→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is Qh2+.

Position data

FEN: 1b2r1k1/1pq2pp1/pPp2p1p/P1Pp3P/3P2P1/5P2/2NQN1K1/4R3 w - - 6 37

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