Chess Puzzle #0O0JI — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen f3; rook b1; knights b2/c3; pawns a4/d5/e5/f4/g4/h4. Black: king h7; queen c5; rooks a8/b8; bishop g7; pawns c7/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb4 — rook b8→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd3 — knight b2→d3. Opponent replies Qxc3+ (queen c5→c3, captures knight, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxc3 — king c2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nd3.

Position data

FEN: rr6/2p2pbk/6pp/2qPP3/P4PPP/2N2Q2/1NK5/1R6 b - - 2 33

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