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

Rating 687 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king f2; queen d3; knight e3; pawns a3/e5/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c5; knight f5; pawns a7/e6/f7/g6/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxe3+ — queen c5→e3, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe3 — queen d3→e3, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxe3 (knight f5→e3, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Kxe3 — king f2→e3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4p2/4p1p1/2q1Pn2/5P1p/P2QN2P/5KP1/8 b - - 1 36

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.