Chess Puzzle #JljS1 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; knights d2/f3; pawns a4/b4/c3/g2/h3. Black: king b7; queen e7; rooks d8/h8; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/c7/e5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe5 — knight f3→e5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe5 — knight c6→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxe5 (queen e2→e5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxd2 — rook d8→d2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/pkp1qppp/1pn1p3/4p3/PP6/2P2N1P/3NQ1P1/R4RK1 w - - 0 21

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