Chess Puzzle #69bX1 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c8; pawns a2/e4/e6/g2/h3. Black: king f6; queen d2; pawns a6/b5/c4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd7 — queen c8→d7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd7 — queen d2→d7, captures queen. Opponent replies exd7 (pawn e6→d7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ke7 — king f6→e7. Opponent replies d8=Q+ (pawn d7→d8, promotes to queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxd8 — king e7→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, queen endgame. The key move Qxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/6pp/p3Pk2/1p6/2p1P3/7P/P2q2PK/8 w - - 1 37

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