Chess Puzzle #e26lc — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks b1/f2; bishop f4; knight b5; pawns a2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f5; rooks a8/b8; knight f6; pawns a6/c4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb8 — bishop f4→b8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen f5→b1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
3. Best move: Qe4 — queen b1→e4. Opponent replies Qxe4 (queen f3→e4, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxb1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rr4k1/5ppp/p3pn2/1N3q2/2p2B2/5Q2/P4RPP/1R4K1 w - - 2 19

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