Chess Puzzle #LDYf5 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d1; rook h1; bishops e3/f1; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen e6; rook h8; bishops e7/f5; knight g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen d1→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: c5 — pawn c7→c5. Opponent replies Qa4 (queen d4→a4).
3. Best move: Qxe5 — queen e6→e5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is c5.

Position data

FEN: 2k3nr/ppp1b1p1/4q3/4Nb1p/8/2P1B2P/PP3PP1/2KQ1B1R w - - 1 19

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