Chess Puzzle #pm0aW — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rook e1; bishop e2; knight c5; pawns a3/b4/c3/d4/e5/g3. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks d8/g2; knight c4; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc4 — bishop e2→c4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc4 — queen d5→c4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxg2 (queen d2→g2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen c4→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qc2 (queen g2→c2).
4. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen c3→e1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/ppp3p1/7p/2NqP3/1PnP4/P1P3P1/3QB1r1/2K1R3 w - - 1 29

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