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

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/c1; bishop f4; knights a3/d2; pawns c5/d4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/b3; bishops a4/c3; pawns c6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nab1 — knight a3→b1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxa1 — bishop c3→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxb3 (knight d2→b3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bxb3 — bishop a4→b3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Bxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5ppp/2p1p3/2PpP3/b2P1B2/Nrb5/3N1PPP/R1R3K1 w - - 0 23

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