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

Position

White: king b1; queen b2; rooks d1/h1; bishop c4; knight e6; pawns a2/b3/d5/e4/f4/g4. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/e7; bishop b5; knight e8; pawns a4/b4/c5/d6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb5 — bishop c4→b5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb5 — queen b6→b5, captures bishop. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f4→f5).
3. Best move: axb3 — pawn a4→b3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r3n1k1/4r2p/1q1pN1p1/1bpP4/ppB1PPP1/1P6/PQ6/1K1R3R w - - 1 26

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