Chess Puzzle #48FP3 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a2; rook h1; bishops e3/f1; pawns c3/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; rooks a8/h8; bishop d6; knight e4; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bb4+ — bishop d6→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king e1→d1).
3. Best move: Nc3+ — knight e4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kc2 (king d1→c2).
4. Best move: Nxa2 — knight c3→a2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Bb4+.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/pp4pp/2pbp3/3p4/4n3/2P1B1P1/Q3PP1P/4KB1R w Kkq - 0 20

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