Chess Puzzle #MlJud — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen b3; rooks c1/c3; bishop f3; pawns a2/c4/d4/e3/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks c7/c8; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb5 — queen b3→b5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxg5 (queen b5→g5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxf3+ — knight d4→f3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h2→g2).
4. Best move: Nxg5 — knight f3→g5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Nxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p1r2pp1/1pn1p1p1/6q1/2PP2P1/1QR1PB1P/P6K/2R5 w - - 9 25

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