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

Position

White: king h2; queen g4; rooks b1/f1; bishops b2/g2; knight e4; pawns b4/d2/g3/h3. Black: king h8; queen b6; rooks a8/f8; bishops b7/d4; knight f5; pawns b5/d6/e6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf5 — rook f1→f5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: exf5 — pawn e6→f5, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen g4→f5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: f6 — pawn f7→f6.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, master, middlegame, short. The key move exf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/1b3p1p/1q1pp3/1p3n2/1P1bN1Q1/6PP/1B1P2BK/1R3R2 w - - 2 22

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