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

Position

White: king d2; rook h1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d4/f4/g3/h5. Black: king c8; rook h8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b6/c5/d5/g4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc5 — pawn d4→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Opponent replies Rh4 (rook h1→h4).
3. Best move: dxc3+ — pawn d4→c3, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move dxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/1b6/pp6/2pp3P/3P1Pp1/2N3P1/PP1K4/7R w - - 0 28

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