Chess Puzzle #XlN7T — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d5; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/f4; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c5/d7; knight b8; pawns a6/b6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa8 — queen d5→a8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bb4+ — bishop c5→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Nd2 (knight f3→d2).
3. Best move: Bxd2+ — bishop b4→d2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd2 (king e1→d2, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Bc6+ — bishop d7→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king d2→e1).
5. Best move: Bxa8 — bishop c6→a8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, opening, very long. The key move Bxd2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn1qk2r/3b1ppp/pp6/2bQ4/5B2/4PN2/PP3PPP/R3KB1R w KQkq - 0 11

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