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

Position

White: king b1; queen d4; rooks d2/h1; bishop e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/f3/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks b8/c8; bishop a4; pawns d6/e7/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa4 — queen d4→a4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc3 — queen c7→c3. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b2→b3).
3. Best move: Qxd2 — queen c3→d2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Qc3.

Position data

FEN: 1rr3k1/2q1p2p/3p2p1/3P1p2/b2Q2P1/5P2/PPPRB2P/1K5R w - - 9 25

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