Chess Puzzle #xKbUc — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen g4; rooks a1/g1; bishop c2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/f2/f4/h2. Black: king h7; queen c6; rooks a8/e8; knight c4; pawns a7/b7/f5. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd1 — king e1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxb2+ — knight c4→b2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king d1→c1).
3. Best move: Nd3+ — knight b2→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
4. Best move: fxg4 — pawn f5→g4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Nxb2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r3/pp5k/2q5/5p2/2n2PQ1/2N5/PPB2P1P/R3K1R1 w Q - 1 24

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