Chess Puzzle #4mFIk — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/f1; pawns a2/b2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; knights d4/e7; pawns a7/d5/e5/e6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen d2→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Ne2+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p1q1n1p1/4p2p/3pp3/3n4/5P2/PP1Q1P1P/R4RK1 w - - 0 21

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