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

Position

White: king f3; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c4/d2; knight c3; pawns a2/c2/d5/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen b2; rooks a8/h6; bishop c8; knight g4; pawns a7/c6/e5/f7/g7/h4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg4 — pawn h3→g4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf6+ — rook h6→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f3→e2).
3. Best move: Bxg4+ — bishop c8→g4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king e2→e1).
4. Best move: Bxd1 — bishop g4→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, long, middlegame, skewer. The key move Bxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k3/p4pp1/2p4r/3Pp3/2B3np/2N2K1P/PqPB2P1/R2Q3R w q - 2 16

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