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

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks a1/h1; bishop b3; knight g3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c8; rooks a8/e7; bishop g2; pawns a7/b7/c7/f3/f6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh5 — queen d5→h5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh3 — queen c8→h3. Opponent replies Qxh3 (queen h5→h3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxh3 — bishop g2→h3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Qh3.

Position data

FEN: r1q3k1/ppp1rp1p/5p2/3Q4/8/1B3pN1/PPP2PbP/R5KR w - - 2 20

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