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

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rooks a1/e1; knight e4; pawns a2/c3/c7/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a8/g6; bishop h5; pawns a7/b7/h6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf6 — queen e7→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qc4+ (queen d4→c4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg7 — king g8→g7. Opponent replies c8=Q (pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen).
4. Best move: Rxc8 — rook a8→c8, captures queen. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen c4→c8, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qb6+ — queen f6→b6, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/ppP1q2p/6rp/7b/3QN3/2P3P1/P6P/R3R1K1 w - - 9 25

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