Chess Puzzle #pfO5i — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen h7; rook h1; bishop c2; knight d6; pawns a2/c5/e3. Black: king d7; queen b2; rook g7; bishop d5; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/f4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf5+ — queen h7→f5, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Be6 — bishop d5→e6. Opponent replies Qxe4 (queen f5→e4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qc1+ — queen b2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
4. Best move: f3+ — pawn f4→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf3 (king e2→f3, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Qxh1+ — queen c1→h1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, defensive move, exposed king, interference, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxh1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp1k2rQ/2pN4/2Pb4/4pp2/4P3/PqB5/5K1R w - - 6 38

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