Chess Puzzle #oB6e5 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; knights b1/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d6; rooks a8/h8; bishop e6; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/c7/d4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight f3→d4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: O-O-O — king e8→c8. Opponent replies Nc3 (knight b1→c3).
3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d6→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen d1→d4, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

castling, equality, intermezzo, long, middlegame. The key move is O-O-O.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/ppp2ppp/2pqbn2/8/3p4/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQR1K1 w kq - 2 10

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