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

Position

White: king g2; queen f6; rook a1; bishop c1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4. Black: king c8; queen c4; rook h5; bishop h2; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxh2 — knight f3→h2, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe2+ — queen c4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Qf2 (queen f6→f2).
3. Best move: Rxh2+ — rook h5→h2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king g2→h2, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen e2→f2, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, intermezzo, long, pin. The key move Rxh2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pp3p2/4pQp1/3p3r/2qP4/2P2N2/PP4Kb/R1B5 w - - 4 26

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