Chess Puzzle #Pc0h1 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rook d1; bishops a2/a3; pawns a4/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e8; rook d8; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/c4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf3 — queen d5→f3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nd4 — knight c6→d4. Opponent replies Qe3 (queen f3→e3).
3. Best move: Qxe3 — queen e8→e3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Nd4.

Position data

FEN: 3rq1k1/1p3ppp/p1n5/3Q4/P1p5/B7/B1P2PPP/3R2K1 w - - 1 22

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