Chess Puzzle #eRSmU — Expert, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king g2; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/f3; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c4/d3/e4/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/e5; knight h6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d4/d6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc7 — knight d5→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxf3 — rook f8→f3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxf3 (queen d1→f3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bxg4 — bishop c8→g4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxh6 (bishop c1→h6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Bxf3+ — bishop g4→f3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, long, middlegame, trapped piece. The key move Bxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/ppp4p/3p2pn/3Nb3/2PpP1Pq/3P1B1P/PP3PK1/R1BQ1R2 w - - 3 17

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