Chess Puzzle #973iH — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks e1/f5; bishop g3; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks c8/f8; bishop d6; knight d7; pawns a6/b7/c4/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f5→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe5 — knight d7→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxf8+ (rook f7→f8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxf8 — rook c8→f8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qd5+ (queen f3→d5, gives check).
4. Best move: Nf7 — knight e5→f7. Opponent replies Bxd6 (bishop g3→d6, captures bishop).
5. Best move: Qxd6 — queen c7→d6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Nxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1pqn1pp1/p2b3p/4NR2/2pP4/2P2QBP/PP4P1/4R1K1 w - - 2 21

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