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

Position

White: king b1; queen d5; rooks d1/h1; pawns a3/b2/e4/f2/h5. Black: king f8; queen b5; rook e7; knight e5; pawns c5/d6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd6 — queen d5→d6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc4 — knight e5→c4. Opponent replies Qf4+ (queen d6→f4, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke8 — king f8→e8. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen f4→c1).
4. Best move: Nxa3+ — knight c4→a3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka2 (king b1→a2).
5. Best move: Nc4 — knight a3→c4.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, pin, very long. The key move Nxa3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/4r1p1/3p3p/1qpQn2P/4P3/P7/1P3P2/1K1R3R w - - 6 42

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