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

Position

White: king c1; queen b4; rooks d1/h1; bishops d2/f1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d3; rooks a8/h8; bishop f5; knights e5/f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd3 — bishop f1→d3, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxd3+ — knight e5→d3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
3. Best move: Nxb4 — knight d3→b4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/pp4pp/2p2n2/4nb2/1QP1p3/2NqP3/PP1B1PPP/2KR1B1R w kq - 4 14

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