Chess Puzzle #ZX19J — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d7; rooks c4/f1; knight e4; pawns a3/b4/f2/g3. Black: king h8; queen e5; rooks f8/g6; bishop a7; pawns a6/c7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc5 — knight e4→c5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxg3+ — rook g6→g3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies fxg3 (pawn f2→g3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qe2+ — queen e5→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh3 (king g2→h3).
4. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen e2→f1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxg3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/b1pQ4/p5rp/4q3/1PR1N3/P5P1/5PK1/5R2 w - - 4 29

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