Chess Puzzle #P71xP — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d8; rooks d1/d2; bishop c3; pawns a3/b2/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g7; queen f3; rooks a8/e6; bishop c8; pawns a7/b6/d7/g6/h3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook d1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen f3→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf1 (king g1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ba6+ — bishop c8→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king f1→f2).
4. Best move: Rxd8 — rook a8→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, discovered attack, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bQ4/p2p2k1/1p2r1p1/4P3/5P2/P1B2qPp/1P1R3P/3R2K1 w - - 7 35

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