Chess Puzzle #1ctcx — Intermediate, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops b2/g2; knights b1/e5; pawns a4/b4/c5/d3/e2/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/f6; knights c7/d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd4 — bishop b2→d4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe5 — knight d7→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxe5 (bishop d4→e5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Bxe5 — bishop f6→e5, captures bishop. Opponent replies fxe5 (pawn f4→e5, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qd4+ — queen d8→d4, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, opening. The key move Nxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1rk1/ppnn1ppp/2p1pb2/2P1N3/PP1p1P2/3P2P1/1B2P1BP/RN1Q1RK1 w - - 0 14

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