Chess Puzzle #X3FWM — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks f1/f3; knight c3; pawns a3/e5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b3; rook f8; bishop g7; knight d5; pawns a6/b5/c6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e6 — pawn e5→e6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3 — queen b3→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen d3→c3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/6bp/p1p3p1/1p1nP3/8/PqNQ1R1P/6P1/5RK1 w - - 1 33

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