Chess Puzzle #NePps — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king g3; queen d8; knight b5; pawns c6/d5/e4. Black: king g6; queen h1; bishop c8; pawns c7/e5/g4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc8 — queen d8→c8, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh3+ — queen h1→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g3→f2).
3. Best move: g3+ — pawn g4→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king f2→e1).
4. Best move: Qxc8 — queen h3→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move is Qh3+.

Position data

FEN: 2bQ4/2p5/2P3k1/1N1Pp3/4P1p1/6K1/8/7q w - - 7 39

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