Chess Puzzle #IJm01 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks d4/f7; bishop h6; pawns a4/b5/c4/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook e1; knight c7; pawns a7/b6/c5/d6/g7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf2 — king g1→f2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh4+ — queen d8→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf3 (king f2→f3).
3. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h4→h3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/p1n2Rp1/1p1p2QB/1Pp5/P1PR2P1/7P/8/4r1K1 w - - 1 36

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