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

Position

White: king d3; queen c2; rook d5; bishop b2; knight f5; pawns a3/b3/g4. Black: king g8; queen h1; rook e8; bishop e3; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe3 — knight f5→e3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe4+ — queen h1→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc3 (king d3→c3).
3. Best move: Rc8+ — rook e8→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Nc4 (knight e3→c4).
4. Best move: Qxd5 — queen e4→d5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move is Qe4+.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1p3ppp/p7/3R1N2/6P1/PP1Kb3/1BQ5/7q w - - 2 30

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