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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks d1/f1; knights c7/e5; pawns a2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks c8/f8; bishop d7; pawns a5/b6/e4/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd7 — knight e5→d7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c8→c7, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen c2→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc7 — queen d6→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/2Nb1pp1/1p1qp2p/p3N3/3Pp3/4P3/P1Q2PPP/3R1RK1 w - - 4 22

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