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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; knights d4/g3; pawns a4/b3/f2/h3. Black: king h7; queen b4; bishop g6; pawns a5/b7/d5/e4/f7/g5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nge2 — knight g3→e2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen b4→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
3. Best move: e3 — pawn e4→e3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Qe1+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3p1k/6b1/p2p2p1/Pq1Np3/1P4NP/2Q2P2/6K1 w - - 2 40

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