Chess Puzzle #b4y5m — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2059 · Expert · crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king e1; queen c4; rooks a1/h1; bishops e3/f1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f2/f3/h2. Black: king c8; queen f6; rooks d8/h8; bishop b4; knights c6/g8; pawns a7/b5/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxb5 — queen c4→b5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bxc3+ — bishop b4→c3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king e1→e2).
  3. Best move: Rd2+ — rook d8→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd2 (bishop e3→d2, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Nd4+ — knight c6→d4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Bxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr2nr/p1p2ppp/2n2q2/1p6/1bQ1P3/2N1BP2/PPP2P1P/R3KB1R w KQ - 0 11

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.