Chess Puzzle #LK1gW — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1554 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks d1/f1; bishop e3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks c8/f8; bishop g7; knight d6; pawns a7/b6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nb5 — knight c3→b5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxb5 — queen d7→b5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxb5 (queen b3→b5, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Nxb5 — knight d6→b5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/p2qppbp/1p1n2p1/8/8/1QN1B2P/PPP2PP1/3R1RK1 w - - 0 18

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.