Chess Puzzle #OiEPl — Master, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishops b5/g3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks c8/f8; bishop e6; knights b4/h7; pawns a7/b7/d6/e5/f7/g5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg5 — pawn h4→g5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxa2+ — knight b4→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king c1→b2).
4. Best move: Qb6 — queen d8→b6. Opponent replies Qd3 (queen d2→d3).
5. Best move: Rc8 — rook f8→c8.

Tactical themes

advantage, capturing the defender, clearance, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Nxa2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rq1rk1/pp3p1n/3pb2p/1B2p1p1/1n2P2P/2N3B1/PPPQ1PP1/2KR3R w - - 5 17

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