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

Position

White: king f1; queen e2; rook b2; bishop g2; knight f2; pawns a2/b3/c4/e3/g4. Black: king e8; queen h4; rooks d8/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook b2→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen h4→f2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf2 (queen e2→f2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd2 — rook d8→d2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen f2→f6, captures rook).
4. Best move: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, master, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rk3/ppp2pp1/5r2/8/2P3Pq/1P2P3/PR2QNB1/5K2 w - - 3 26

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