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

Position

White: king h2; queen c3; rooks b3/c1; pawns a7/d4/g3. Black: king c8; queen d6; rook g8; bishop b7; pawns a5/c7/f5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc5 — queen c3→c5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh6+ — queen d6→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
3. Best move: Qh1+ — queen h6→h1, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Qh6+.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/Pbp4p/3q4/p4p2/3P4/1RQ3P1/7K/2R5 w - - 0 39

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