Chess Puzzle #3P573 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; rook a7; bishops c3/c4; pawns b2/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; rook c8; bishop g8; knight e4; pawns e6/f5/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook a7→d7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight e4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd4 (king d3→d4).
3. Best move: Nxd7 — knight c5→d7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nc5+.

Position data

FEN: 2r3bk/R7/4p2p/4Ppp1/2B1nP2/2BK2P1/1P5P/8 w - - 0 41

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