Chess Puzzle #0Ib8u — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; queen c4; rooks a1/h1; knights b3/c2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen b6; rooks e5/h8; bishop f4; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e2/f5/f6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxe5 — pawn d4→e5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe5+ — knight c6→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe2 (king d3→e2, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nxc4 — knight e5→c4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Nxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/ppp5/1qn2p2/4rp2/2QP1b2/1NPK1P1P/PPN1p1P1/R6R w - - 6 22

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