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

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rook f3; bishop f5; pawns a4/b3/c4/d3/d5/g4/h3. Black: king g7; queen h4; rook f6; bishop f4; pawns a5/b7/c5/d4/d6/e5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf4 — rook f3→f4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h4→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
3. Best move: Qg3+ — queen h3→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
4. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen g3→f4, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, kingside attack, long. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p4k1/3p1r2/p1pPpB2/P1PpQbPq/1P1P1R1P/8/7K w - - 14 38

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