Chess Puzzle #4MZN0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks a1/f1; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen h6; rooks b8/h8; knight e5; pawns f7/g5/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxe5 — pawn d4→e5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh2+ — queen h6→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
3. Best move: Rxb2+ — rook b8→b2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Qxh2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r5r/3k1pp1/7q/4n1p1/3PQP2/4P3/PP4PP/R4RK1 w - - 0 24

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