Chess Puzzle #tO7ic — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen f6; rooks a1/h1; knights a4/g1; pawns a2/b3/d4/e3/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen b5; rooks a8/f8; bishop a6; knight b8; pawns a5/c6/e6/f7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh6 — queen f6→h6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen b5→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e1→d2).
3. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f1→f2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

deflection, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn3rk1/5p2/b1p1pQ1p/pq4p1/N2P4/1P2P1P1/P4PP1/R3K1NR w KQ - 1 17

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