Chess Puzzle #d4MXf — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d2; rooks g3/h1; bishop e3; pawns a5/b2/d4. Black: king h8; queen f5; rook f8; bishop g4; pawns a6/b7/c6/d5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg4 — rook g3→g4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxg4 — queen f5→g4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qg2 (queen d2→g2).
3. Best move: Qh4+ — queen g4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Qh3 (queen g2→h3).
4. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h4→h3, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh3 (king h2→h3, captures queen).
5. Best move: Rf3+ — rook f8→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg4 (king h3→g4).
6. Best move: Rxe3 — rook f3→e3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, hanging piece, very long. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1p4p1/p1p4p/P2p1q2/3P2b1/4B1R1/1P1Q3K/7R w - - 16 36

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