Chess Puzzle #1DcCX — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen b7; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/f1; knight a8; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e5; queen d8; rook h8; bishops e6/f8; knights f3/g8; pawns a6/c4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf3 — queen b7→f3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bb4+ — bishop f8→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Qc3+ (queen f3→c3, gives check).
3. Best move: Bxc3+ — bishop b4→c3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, opening, short. The key move Bxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: N2q1bnr/1Q3ppp/p3b3/4k3/2p5/5n2/PP3PPP/R1B1KB1R w KQ - 0 14

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