Chess Puzzle #7IU2a — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rook f1; pawns a5/d4/e3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b2/b8; knight d2; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxf1 — knight d2→f1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxb8+ (queen a7→b8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxb8 — rook b2→b8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Nxf1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/Q4pp1/4p2p/P2p4/3P4/4PP2/1r1n2PP/5RK1 w - - 1 23

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