Chess Puzzle #2Ctoo — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; bishop e3; knight d4; pawns a4/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen b6; bishop c5; knight e4; pawns a5/b4/d5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne6+ — knight d4→e6, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe6 — queen b6→e6, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxc5+ (bishop e3→c5, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxc5 — knight e4→c5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, hanging piece, short. The key move Qxe6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/6pp/1q6/p1bp4/Pp1Nn3/3QB3/1PP3PP/7K w - - 0 26

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