Chess Puzzle #kz5ol — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen g5; rook d1; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/f3/g3/h2. Black: king f7; queen d5; rook d8; knight c4; pawns a6/b5/d3/e5/f4/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc4 — knight d2→c4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen d5→f3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
3. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen f3→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
4. Best move: Qe2+ — queen d1→e2, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Qxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/5k1p/p7/1p1qp1Q1/2n2p2/2Pp1PP1/PP1N3P/3R1K2 w - - 6 36

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