Chess Puzzle #MW8MG — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d1; rooks c1/c3; knight e2; pawns a5/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks d8/e8; knight d4; pawns a7/e4/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook c3→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc6 — knight d4→c6, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen d1→d6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd6 — rook d8→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/p4p1p/3q2p1/P7/3np3/2R3P1/1P2NPKP/2RQ4 w - - 0 33

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