Chess Puzzle #xg6AQ — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks c1/f1; bishop e2; pawns a2/b2/d5/e5/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks c8/f8; knight b6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e6 — pawn e5→e6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1 — rook c8→c1, captures rook. Opponent replies exf7+ (pawn e6→f7, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg7 — king g8→g7. Opponent replies Qd4+ (queen e4→d4, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh6 — king g7→h6. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook f1→c1, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen g5→c1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/pp3p1p/1n4p1/3PP1q1/4Q1P1/7P/PP2B3/2R2RK1 w - - 1 22

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