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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rook f1; bishop c1; knight e2; pawns b2/d6/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks a1/h8; bishops b8/c8; knight f7; pawns b5/c5/c6/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc5 — queen c2→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ba7 — bishop b8→a7. Opponent replies Qxa7 (queen c5→a7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rxa7 — rook a1→a7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Ba7.

Position data

FEN: 1bb1k2r/5npp/2pP1p2/1pp5/4P3/5P2/1PQ1N1PP/r1B2RK1 w k - 4 19

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