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

Rating 1041 · Beginner · advantage, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king e2; rook c6; bishop c1; knight f3; pawns e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook d8; bishop a5; knight b5; pawns e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc5 — rook c6→c5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nc3+ — knight b5→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc3 (rook c5→c3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Bxc3 — bishop a5→c3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, master, short. The key move is Nc3+.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5pp1/2R1p2p/bn6/8/4PN2/4KPPP/2B5 w - - 0 29

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.