Chess Puzzle #1CVJp — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h3; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; knight d6; pawns a3/c2/e5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks c4/e8; bishops b7/g7; knight d7; pawns a7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb7 — knight d6→b7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb6+ — queen d8→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Be3 (bishop c1→e3).
3. Best move: Qxb7 — queen b6→b7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Qb6+.

Position data

FEN: 3qr1k1/pb1n1pbp/3Np1p1/4P3/2r2P2/P6Q/2P3PP/R1B1R1K1 w - - 0 21

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