Chess Puzzle #AktLf — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c3; rooks d1/h1; bishop e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f4/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/f8; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg6 — pawn h5→g6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen c7→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
3. Best move: fxg6 — pawn f7→g6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/ppq2p1p/2p1b1p1/3p3P/4PP2/2Q5/PPP1B1P1/2KR3R w - - 0 17

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