Chess Puzzle #3CUqH — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rooks a1/f1; bishop b2; knights b1/f3; pawns a3/b4/f2/f5/h3. Black: king h8; queen b6; rooks d8/f8; bishop e7; knights c6/d6; pawns a7/b7/e5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe5+ — bishop b2→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe5 — knight c6→e5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxe5+ (queen e4→e5, captures knight, gives check).
3. Best move: Bf6 — bishop e7→f6.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/pp2b2p/1qnn4/4pP2/1P2Q3/P4N1P/1B3P2/RN3R1K w - - 3 22

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