Chess Puzzle #0503q — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rook a8; knight d6; pawns a2/c4/f2. Black: king g7; rook e7; bishop h7; pawns a6/b7/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc7 — rook e7→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne8+ — knight d6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e8→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Ne8+.

Position data

FEN: R7/1p2rpkb/p2N2p1/8/2P5/8/P4PK1/8 b - - 1 31

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