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

Position

White: king e1; queen c3; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/f1; pawns a2/b5/c5/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knight d4; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c6 — pawn c5→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bb4 — bishop f8→b4. Opponent replies Qxb4 (queen c3→b4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Nc2+ — knight d4→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king e1→e2).
4. Best move: Nxb4 — knight c2→b4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, fork, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice. The key move is Bb4.

Position data

FEN: r2qkb1r/p4ppp/1p2p3/1PP5/3nP3/2Q5/P4PPP/R1B1KB1R w KQkq - 1 12

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