Chess Puzzle #En33T — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e2; rooks a1/h1; bishop d3; knights d2/g1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e7/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen d5; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; knight f4; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf3 — queen e2→f3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf3 — queen d5→f3, captures queen. Opponent replies Ngxf3 (knight g1→f3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxd3+ — knight f4→d3, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, equality, opening, short. The key move Nxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/pp2Ppp1/2p1p2p/3q4/3P1n2/2PB3P/PP1NQ1P1/R3K1NR w KQkq - 1 15

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