Chess Puzzle #qD6t0 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rook a1; bishop g2; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e2; rook e8; bishop f5; pawns a7/b7/c5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc5 — queen d6→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook a1→e1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf1 (bishop g2→f1).
4. Best move: Bh3 — bishop f5→h3. Opponent replies Qc8+ (queen c5→c8, gives check).
5. Best move: Bxc8 — bishop h3→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, kingside attack, pin, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp3p1p/3Q2p1/2pP1b2/2P5/1P4P1/P3qPBP/R5K1 w - - 1 23

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