Chess Puzzle #Tldf2 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rooks b1/c1; bishops a5/g2; knight c4; pawns b6/d3/e2/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a6/c6; bishops d6/e8; knight d5; pawns b7/c5/e6/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa6 — queen b5→a6, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: bxa6 — pawn b7→a6, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxd6 (knight c4→d6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxd6 — queen e7→d6, captures knight. Opponent replies b7 (pawn b6→b7).
4. Best move: Qb8 — queen d6→b8.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move bxa6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4b1k1/1p2q1p1/rPrbpp1p/BQpn4/2N5/3P2PP/4PPB1/1RR3K1 w - - 2 31

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