Chess Puzzle #Deg0K — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rook c1; bishop f4; pawns a2/d4/d6/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g6; queen b6; rooks c8/h8; bishop f1; pawns a7/b7/e6/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc8 — rook c1→c8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb1 — queen b6→b1. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h2→h4).
3. Best move: Bb5+ — bishop f1→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
4. Best move: Bxd7 — bishop b5→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, endgame, long. The key move is Qb1.

Position data

FEN: 2r4r/pp1Q2pp/1q1Pppk1/8/3P1B2/4P3/P4PPP/2R2bK1 w - - 3 20

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