Chess Puzzle #8pCaT — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; rooks d5/h1; bishops e3/f1; knight g5; pawns a3/c5/e2/e4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks b8/h8; bishop e7; knight b3; pawns a7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd2 — bishop e3→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxd2 — knight b3→d2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxd2 (rook d5→d2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Bxg5 — bishop e7→g5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r2k2r/p1p1bppp/8/2PR2N1/4P3/Pn2B3/K3P1PP/5B1R w k - 3 21

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