Chess Puzzle #0z4pT — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1289 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king d3; rook b3; knight c2; pawns b4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king b5; rook a2; bishop d4; pawns e5/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb2 — rook a2→b2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd4+ — knight c2→d4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies exd4 (pawn e5→d4, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rxb2 — rook b3→b2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Nxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/6p1/1k2pp2/1P1b4/1R1K1P1P/r1N3P1/8 b - - 0 43

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