Chess Puzzle #2WxVR — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen e2; rooks b1/h2; knight f3; pawns a4/c2/d2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook b8; bishop e6; knight b3; pawns a5/c7/d6/f4/f7/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb3 — pawn c2→b3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxb3+ — bishop e6→b3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king d1→e1).
3. Best move: Re8 — rook b8→e8. Opponent replies Qxe8+ (queen e2→e8, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen c6→e8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Bxb3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/2p2p2/2qpb3/p7/P4pPp/1n3N1P/2PPQ2R/1R1K4 w - - 0 23

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