Chess Puzzle #or24W — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen h7; rooks d1/e1; bishop a2; knights c3/d4; pawns b2/c2/f3/h3. Black: king e8; queen b4; rook c8; bishops b7/f8; knights c5/g6; pawns a6/d5/e6/f7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd5 — bishop a2→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxd5 — bishop b7→d5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxd5 (knight c3→d5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Nd3+ — knight c5→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd3 (rook d1→d3, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen b4→e1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, long, middlegame, pin, queenside attack. The key move Qxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1kb2/1b3p1Q/p3p1n1/2np4/1q1N4/2N2P1P/BPP5/2KRR3 w - - 2 26

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