Chess Puzzle #7C99a — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen c2; rook b1; bishop c6; knight c3; pawns d4/e3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen g4; rook e7; bishop d6; knight f3; pawns d5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd5 — bishop c6→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh3+ — queen g4→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
3. Best move: Nxd4+ — knight f3→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e2→d3).
4. Best move: Nxc2 — knight d4→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Nxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4rpp1/2Bb3p/3p4/3P2qP/2N1PnP1/2Q2P2/1R3K2 w - - 1 31

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