Chess Puzzle #CH02m — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c7; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; pawns a2/c3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e4; rooks a8/f8; pawns b4/b5/e5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd4+ — queen e4→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Be3 (bishop c1→e3).
3. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen d4→e3, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/2Q2pp1/7p/1p2p3/1p2q3/2P4P/P5P1/R1B2RK1 w - - 0 20

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