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

Rating 842 · Beginner · crushing, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king e8; queen d5; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e8→d8).
  3. Best move: Nxd5 — knight f6→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nf6+.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/ppp2pp1/2n4p/3qp3/4N1P1/3P3P/PPP2P2/R1BQK2R b KQkq - 0 15

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