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

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks d1/f1; bishop e4; knight h6; pawns a3/b3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks d7/e8; bishop h7; knight e5; pawns a7/b6/c5/f6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook d1→d7, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd7 — queen d8→d7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd7 (queen g4→d7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxd7 — knight e5→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3qr2k/p2r2pb/1p3p1N/2p1n3/4B1Q1/PP4P1/5P1P/3R1RK1 w - - 1 29

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