Chess Puzzle #53Q2B — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks e1/e2; bishops b2/f3; knight e4; pawns a3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/e8; bishop d4; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb2 — bishop d4→b2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight e4→f6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies gxf6 (pawn g7→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e2→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, long, middlegame. The key move Nxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pp3ppp/2n2n2/8/3bN3/P4B2/1B2R1PP/4R2K b - - 5 23

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