Chess Puzzle #8BTWO — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queens b8/d1; bishop d4; pawns c4/c5/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g7; queen c6; bishops c3/h3; knight e4; pawns f6/g5/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop d4→c3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e4→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qa7+ (queen b8→a7, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh6 — king g7→h6. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f2→f3).
4. Best move: Nxd1 — knight c3→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Nxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1Q6/6kp/2q2p2/2P3p1/2PBn3/2b3Pb/4PP1P/3Q2K1 w - - 0 35

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