Chess Puzzle #0ExXa — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen b2; rooks d1/h1; bishop c6; pawns b5/c4/h2. Black: king f8; queen e3; rook h8; knight f2; pawns a7/b6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook d1→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nd3+ — knight f2→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king c1→d1).
3. Best move: Nxb2+ — knight d3→b2, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Nxb2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k1r/p4ppp/1pB5/1P6/2P5/4q3/1Q3n1P/2KR3R w - - 2 27

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