Chess Puzzle #l8xIE — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g5; rooks a1/g1; bishops c3/e2; pawns c2/e4/f3/f5/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/b8; bishop h5; pawns a3/c6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf6 — queen g5→f6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe3+ — queen b6→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king c1→d1).
3. Best move: Qxg1+ — queen e3→g1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king d1→d2).
4. Best move: Rd8+ — rook b8→d8, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxg1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rr4k1/5p1p/1qp3p1/5PQb/4P3/p1B2P2/2P1B2P/R1K3R1 w - - 1 30

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