Chess Puzzle #0W3cR — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1240 · Intermediate · advantage, endgame, master, pin, short.

Position

White: king c2; rook h6; bishops a2/c5; pawns a3/b2/c3/d3/e4. Black: king e7; rook d6; knights c6/f6; pawns a6/b5/c7/e5/f3. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd2 — king c2→d2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxe4+ — knight f6→e4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king d2→e3).
  3. Best move: Nxc5 — knight e4→c5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, master, pin, short. The key move Nxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p1k3/p1nr1n1R/1pB1p3/4P3/P1PP1p2/BPK5/8 w - - 2 27

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