Chess Puzzle #p0bFi — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen b6; rook d1; bishop b3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/h2. Black: king a8; queen f6; rook h8; knights e5/h5; pawns b7/c6/d6/e7/f4/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f4→f3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nb5 — knight c3→b5. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c6→b5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Bd5 — bishop b3→d5. Opponent replies Nc6 (knight e5→c6).
4. Best move: Bxc6 — bishop d5→c6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move is Nb5.

Position data

FEN: k6r/1p2pp1p/1Qpp1q2/4n2n/4Pp2/1BN5/PPP4P/1K1R4 b - - 1 25

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