Chess Puzzle #pfEG7 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks a1/e4; bishop e3; knight d4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen f6; rooks d8/e8; bishops c5/d7; pawns a7/c6/c7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc6+ — knight d4→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6 — queen f6→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen a6→c6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxe3+ — bishop c5→e3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e4→e3, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Bxc6 — bishop d7→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, master, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Bxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1rr3/p1pb1ppp/Q1p2q2/2b5/3NR3/4BP2/PPP3PP/R5K1 w - - 7 16

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