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

Position

White: king d2; queen d1; rooks a1/g1; bishop e3; knights c3/f3; pawns b2/b3/c2/d3/e4/f2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops h4/h5; pawns a6/b5/c7/d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bh6 — bishop e3→h6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf6 — queen d8→f6. Opponent replies Bxg7 (bishop h6→g7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qf4+ — queen f6→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king d2→e1).
4. Best move: Qe3+ — queen f4→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Qe2 (queen d1→e2).
5. Best move: Bxf2+ — bishop h4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e1→f1).
6. Best move: Bxg1 — bishop f2→g1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxe3 (queen e2→e3, captures queen).
7. Best move: Bxe3 — bishop g1→e3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attack on f2/f7, fork, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Bxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/2p2ppp/p2p4/1p2p2b/4P2b/1PNPBN2/1PPK1P2/R2Q2R1 w - - 8 19

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