Chess Puzzle #1AcAc — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks c1/g2; knight d5; pawns a3/f2/h2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks a7/f7; knight c2; pawns a6/b5/c5/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfd7 — rook f7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight d5→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Nxd7 — knight f6→d7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, pin, short. The key move Nxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/r4rp1/p4p1p/1ppN4/8/P6P/2n2PRP/2R4K b - - 2 27

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