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

Position

White: king f1; queen c8; rook a2; bishop g5; knight f4; pawns a4/b3/c4/d3/f2. Black: king a5; rook h2; bishops d4/f3; pawns a7/b6/c5/f5/g4. White is ahead by 9 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4+ — pawn b3→b4, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kxb4 — king a5→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ne2 (knight f4→e2).
3. Best move: Rh1+ — rook h2→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Ng1 (knight e2→g1).
4. Best move: g3 — pawn g4→g3. Opponent replies Bd2+ (bishop g5→d2, gives check).
5. Best move: Kb3 — king b4→b3.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Kxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/p7/1p6/k1p2pB1/P1Pb1Np1/1P1P1b2/R4P1r/5K2 w - - 3 29

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