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

Position

White: king g2; queen f1; rooks c2/f4; pawns a2/b4/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e3; rook d8; bishop b7; pawns a7/f7/g5/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re2 — rook c2→e2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd2 — rook d8→d2. Opponent replies Rxd2 (rook e2→d2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd2+ — queen e3→d2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qf2 (queen f1→f2).
4. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen d2→f2, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf2 (king g2→f2, captures queen).
5. Best move: gxf4 — pawn g5→f4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, pin, very long. The key move Qxd2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pb3p2/8/6pp/1P3R2/4qPP1/P1R3KP/5Q2 w - - 0 35

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