Chess Puzzle #1C6K1 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 966 · Beginner · advantage, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/e4; knight c4; pawns a3/b4/d3/f2/f5/g2. Black: king c8; queen d7; rooks h7/h8; bishop d6; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/d4/e5/f7/g4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nb6+ — knight c4→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c8→c7).
  3. Best move: Nxd7 — knight b6→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nb6+.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/pp1q1p1r/2nb1n2/4pP2/1PNpB1p1/P2P4/5PP1/R1BQRK2 b - - 6 21

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