Chess Puzzle #c8WQm — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop g2; knights c4/c6; pawns a3/b3/c2/d3/e2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks a8/f8; bishop g4; knight c3; pawns a7/b5/c5/d4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd2 — queen d1→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe2+ — knight c3→e2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qh5 — queen g5→h5. Opponent replies N4e5 (knight c4→e5).
4. Best move: Nxg3+ — knight e2→g3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, kingside attack, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Nxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p5pp/2N5/1pp3q1/2Np2b1/PPnP2P1/2P1P1BP/R2Q1RK1 w - - 1 18

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