Chess Puzzle #kw9E8 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook a1; bishop f4; knights d4/d6; pawns e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b4; rook f8; bishops c8/g7; pawns d5/e6/f6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc8 — knight d6→c8, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen b4→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Ne7+ (knight c8→e7, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Opponent replies Ra6 (rook a1→a6).
4. Best move: Qxf4 — queen d4→f4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2b2rk1/6bp/3Nppp1/3pP3/1q1N1B2/8/4QPPP/R5K1 w - - 0 22

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