Chess Puzzle #4MT33 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d3; rook a1; knight c3; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook f8; bishop d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook a1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen f6→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf1 (queen d3→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1 — rook f8→f1, captures queen. Opponent replies Kxf1 (king g2→f1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bxc3 — bishop d4→c3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/ppp3pp/5q2/3P4/2Pb4/1PNQ2P1/P5KP/R7 w - - 3 23

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