Chess Puzzle #D4Nw6 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rooks a1/f1; bishops b2/f3; pawns a2/d4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c8/e8; bishop f5; pawns a7/b7/d6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc2 — rook c8→c2. Opponent replies Bd4 (bishop b2→d4).
3. Best move: Rxd2 — rook c2→d2, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxb6 (bishop d4→b6, captures queen).
4. Best move: axb6 — pawn a7→b6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Rc2.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/pp3p1p/1q1p2p1/5b2/3P1P2/5B2/PB1Q2PP/R4R1K w - - 3 24

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