Chess Puzzle #1AX6a — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e1; knights e7/g4; pawns a3/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; rooks c8/d8; bishop g2; knights e6/f8; pawns b5/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc8 — knight e7→c8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bh3 — bishop g2→h3. Opponent replies Ne5 (knight g4→e5).
3. Best move: Rxc8 — rook d8→c8, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move is Bh3.

Position data

FEN: 2rr1n1k/1p2Nppp/4n3/1p6/6N1/P5P1/1P3PbP/R3R1K1 w - - 2 30

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