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

Position

White: king e3; queen d5; rooks f1/f3; bishops b5/f4; knight c3; pawns a2/e4. Black: king e8; queen b2; rooks d8/g8; bishop f8; knight d7; pawns c7/f7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc7 — bishop f4→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen b2→c3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king e3→e2).
3. Best move: Qc2+ — queen c3→c2, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rkbr1/2pn1p2/7p/1B1Q4/4PB2/2N1KR2/Pq6/5R2 w - - 0 26

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