Chess Puzzle #9N34m — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d5; rook h1; bishops d2/f1; knight d4; pawns b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen a7; rook h8; bishops c8/f8; pawns b5/c4/e6/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb5 — queen d5→b5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a7→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king e1→e2).
3. Best move: c3 — pawn c4→c3.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Qa1+.

Position data

FEN: 2b2b1r/q4kpp/4pp2/1p1Q4/2pN4/4P3/1P1B1PPP/4KB1R w K - 0 17

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