Chess Puzzle #Ss5ed — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/f4; knights b1/f3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/g7; knights e5/g8; pawns a7/b7/d7/e7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe5 — bishop f4→e5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxe5 — bishop g7→e5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxe5 (knight f3→e5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qa5+ — queen d8→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Nc3 (knight b1→c3).
4. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen a5→e5, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, long, opening. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bqk1nr/pp1pp1bp/6p1/4n3/5B2/5N2/PP3PPP/RN1QKB1R w KQkq - 0 9

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