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

Position

White: king d2; queen d1; rooks a1/g1; bishop c4; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2. Black: king g8; queen f3; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight e3; pawns a7/c6/c7/e4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf3 — queen d1→f3, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc4+ — knight e3→c4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d2→e2).
3. Best move: exf3+ — pawn e4→f3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/p1p2ppp/2p5/8/2BPp3/2P1nq2/PP1K1P2/RN1Q2R1 w - - 0 17

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