Chess Puzzle #SqyCI — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks c1/d1; bishops b5/g3; knight c4; pawns a4/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/c8; bishops d6/e6; knights d2/f8; pawns a5/b7/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd5 — bishop e6→d5, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxb6 — knight c4→b6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook c8→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc1 — rook d1→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Nxb6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1r2nk1/1p3p2/1q1bb1pp/pB1Q4/P1NP4/4P1BP/1P1n1PP1/2RR2K1 b - - 4 26

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