Chess Puzzle #A8w71 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c1; rooks a1/f2; bishop f4; knight d2; pawns a2/c3/d4/e4. Black: king f8; queen g6; rooks a8/g8; bishop b6; pawns a7/b7/c5/h3/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc4 — knight d2→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen g6→e4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king h1→h2).
3. Best move: Rg2+ — rook g8→g2, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh3 (king h2→h3, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxf2 — rook g2→f2, captures rook. Opponent replies Bh6+ (bishop f4→h6, gives check).
5. Best move: Ke7 — king f8→e7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, exposed king, kingside attack, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4kr1/pp6/1b4q1/2p4p/3PPB2/2P4p/P2N1R2/R1Q4K w - - 0 26

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