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

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rook f2; knight f5; pawns a2/c4/e4/h3. Black: king h7; queen g5; rook h8; pawns c6/e5/f7/h4. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf1 — king g1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen g5→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
3. Best move: Qc2+ — queen c1→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf3 (king e2→f3).
4. Best move: Qd1+ — queen c2→d1, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, exposed king, long. The key move is Qc1+.

Position data

FEN: 7r/Q4p1k/2p5/4pNq1/2P1P2p/7P/P4R2/6K1 w - - 1 33

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