Chess Puzzle #0EWR4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks d1/d2; bishop e2; knight d5; pawns a3/b4/c4/e4/f2/g2. Black: king c8; queen c6; rooks d8/h8; bishop f8; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/c5/e5/g4/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bh6 — bishop f8→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c8→c7).
3. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e7→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxe2+ (knight d4→e2, captures bishop, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxe2 — rook d2→e2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Ne7+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr1b1r/pp6/2q5/2pNp2p/1PPnP1p1/P1Q5/3RBPP1/3R2K1 b - - 1 23

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