Chess Puzzle #bzFO5 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e2; rook d1; bishops e3/g2; knight h4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g4/h3. Black: king c8; queen b4; rook e8; bishops c5/g6; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc5 — bishop e3→c5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe2 — rook e8→e2, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxb4 (bishop c5→b4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxc2+ — bishop g6→c2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The key move Bxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/ppp2ppp/2n3b1/2b5/1q4PN/4B2P/PPP1QPB1/1K1R4 w - - 1 17

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