Chess Puzzle #txsPs — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2772 · Master · crushing, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen h6; rook d1; bishops b3/c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f5/h2. Black: king c8; queen c5; rook f8; knight e4; pawns a6/b7/c7/e5/f6/f7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qh4 — queen h6→h4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe3 — queen c5→e3. Opponent replies Bxf7 (bishop b3→f7, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Qe2+ — queen e3→e2, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move is Qe3.

Position data

FEN: 2k2r2/1pp2p2/p4p1Q/2q1pP2/4n3/1BB5/PPP3KP/3R4 w - - 0 30

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.