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

Position

White: king f1; rooks d1/e3; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e7; rooks d8/f5; knight d4; pawns a5/b7/c6/e6/g7/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne2 — knight c3→e2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc2 — knight d4→c2. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook d1→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxe3+ — knight c2→e3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
4. Best move: Kxd8 — king e7→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move Nxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/1p2k1p1/2p1p3/p3Pr2/3n3p/P1N1R2P/1P3PP1/3R1K2 w - - 6 22

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