Chess Puzzle #3z0HO — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/g3; pawns a3/c2/c3/d5/e4/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen a4; rooks a8/f8; pawns a7/c5/e5/g6/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d6 — pawn d5→d6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen a4→e4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qe2 (queen d1→e2).
3. Best move: Qh1+ — queen e4→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e1→d2).
4. Best move: Qxa1 — queen h1→a1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, skewer. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p5p1/6p1/2pPp1P1/q3P2P/P1P3R1/2P5/R2QK3 w Q - 0 25

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