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

Position

White: king h1; queen c4; rook f3; knight b6; pawns a2/c5/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen g7; rook h5; pawns a6/b7/e4/f4/g3. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook f3→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxh3+ — rook h5→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies gxh3 (pawn g2→h3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qb2 — queen g7→b2. Opponent replies Qd4+ (queen c4→d4, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxd4 — queen b2→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, sacrifice. The key move Rxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7k/1p4q1/pN6/2P4r/2Q1pp2/5RpP/P5P1/7K w - - 0 32

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