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

Position

White: king b1; queen e2; rooks d1/h3; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks c8/f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/e5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight c6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Nxg6 — knight e7→g6, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxe2 (knight d4→e2, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nxf8 — knight g6→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Ne7+.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/ppp3pp/2np2q1/3Np3/7P/3P2PR/PPP1QP2/1K1R4 b - - 0 17

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