Chess Puzzle #azpG9 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen c7; rooks g1/h1; bishops b2/b3; pawns a2/d4/f2/h4. Black: king g8; queen e4; rooks b8/f8; bishop g7; knight d3; pawns f7/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxb2 — knight d3→b2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxg7+ (rook g1→g7, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxg7 — king g8→g7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/2Q2pb1/8/7p/3Pq2P/1B1n4/PB3P2/K5RR w - - 3 31

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