Chess Puzzle #0On7Z — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1595 · Intermediate · equality, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/g3; bishop h5; knights c3/f4; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/d4; knights c6/e3; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ng6+ — knight f4→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
  3. Best move: Nxf8+ — knight g6→f8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1rk1/pp6/2n1p3/3p3B/3b1N2/2N1n1R1/PP1Q2PP/R5K1 b - - 1 18

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