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

Position

White: king c1; queen b5; rooks d1/h1; bishop d5; knight d2; pawns b2/c2/e3/g4/h3. Black: king h8; queen a2; rooks a8/f2; bishop d6; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/c7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen b5→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Nb1 (knight d2→b1).
3. Best move: Rb8 — rook a8→b8. Opponent replies Qxb8+ (queen b7→b8, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Nxb8 — knight c6→b8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Qa1+.

Position data

FEN: r6k/1pp4p/p1nb2p1/1Q1B4/6P1/4P2P/qPPN1r2/2KR3R w - - 0 19

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