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

Position

White: king d1; queen a4; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c4/d2. Black: king d8; queen g3; bishop f8; knights d4/g4; pawns a6/b7/c5/e7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa5+ — queen a4→a5, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kd7 — king d8→d7. Opponent replies Ne2 (knight c3→e2).
3. Best move: Qd3 — queen g3→d3. Opponent replies Qd8+ (queen a5→d8, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxd8 — king d7→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Kd7.

Position data

FEN: 3k1b2/1p2p1pp/p7/2p5/Q1Pn2n1/2N3q1/PP1P4/R1BK1R2 w - - 0 18

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