Chess Puzzle #5ROdj — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen g4; rooks a1/d1; bishop c6; knights b1/f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/g5/h4. Black: king e7; queen d8; rooks b8/h8; bishop g3; knight f5; pawns a7/b5/c7/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke2 — king f2→e2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen d8→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd1 (king e2→d1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxe3+ — knight f5→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d1→e2).
4. Best move: Nxg4 — knight e3→g4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1q3r/p1p1kppp/2B1p3/1p3nP1/6QP/2P1PNb1/PP3K2/RN1R4 w - - 4 21

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