Chess Puzzle #XVz9v — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks c1/e1; bishops b4/g2; knight e5; pawns a3/d4/e4/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c8; rooks a8/e6; bishops b6/g6; knight f6; pawns a5/c6/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd5 — pawn e4→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e6→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxe5 (rook e1→e5, captures rook).
3. Best move: axb4 — pawn a5→b4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Rxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1q3k1/5ppp/1bp1rnb1/p2pN3/1B1PP3/P4PP1/6BP/2RQR1K1 w - - 0 22

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