Chess Puzzle #1F9RQ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rook a6; knight b4; pawns d4/f3/g4/h2. Black: king f8; rook c7; knight b5; pawns d5/f7/g6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight b5→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Nxd5+ — knight b4→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e7→d6).
4. Best move: Nxc7 — knight d5→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move Nxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/2r2pp1/R5p1/1n1p4/1N1P2P1/5P2/5K1P/8 b - - 2 40

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