Chess Puzzle #2SJCq — Expert, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks c1/c2; bishops c5/d3; knight e2; pawns a3/b4/d5/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c7/c8; bishops d7/g7; knight f4; pawns a6/b5/e5/e7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe7 — bishop c5→e7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe2+ — knight f4→e2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe2 (bishop d3→e2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c7→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook c1→c2, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe7 — queen f6→e7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxc8+ (rook c2→c8, captures rook, gives check).
5. Best move: Bxc8 — bishop d7→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Nxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2rbppbp/p4qp1/1pBPp3/1P2Pn2/P2BQ2P/2R1NPP1/2R3K1 w - - 11 26

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