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

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks a1/f1; bishops d4/g2; knight e5; pawns a3/b5/c4/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king b8; queen c8; rooks d8/h8; bishops f8/h3; knight e7; pawns a7/b6/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc6+ — knight e5→c6, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e7→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxh3 (bishop g2→h3, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxh3 — queen c8→h3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1kqr1b1r/p1p1nppp/1p6/1P2N3/Q1PB4/P5Pb/4PPBP/R4RK1 w - - 2 17

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