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

Position

White: king f2; queen d4; rooks b1/h3; bishop d3; pawns a3/c2/e5/f4/g3/h7. Black: king b8; queen c6; rooks g7/h8; bishop g2; pawns a7/b6/c3/e6/f7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh2 — rook h3→h2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf3+ — queen c6→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king f2→e1).
3. Best move: Qxg3+ — queen f3→g3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qf2 (queen d4→f2).
4. Best move: Qxh2 — queen g3→h2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxg3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k5r/p4prP/1pq1p3/4P3/3Q1P2/P1pB2PR/2P2Kb1/1R6 w - - 2 27

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