Chess Puzzle #4Ik0z — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f5; rook d5; bishop f4; pawns a3/b2/c4/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook e8; knight f8; pawns a7/b6/c5/f6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e7→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Qh4+ — queen e1→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Qh3 (queen f5→h3).
4. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen h4→f4, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move Qxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4rnk1/p3q1p1/1p3p2/2pR1Q1P/2P2B2/P7/1P4P1/6K1 w - - 5 42

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