Chess Puzzle #1JCZ2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1001 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, fork, short.

Position

White: king d2; knight f3; pawns a3/c5/e3/e5/g2/h3. Black: king f5; bishop b5; pawns a5/d5/e6/f7/g5/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bc6 — bishop b5→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nd4+ — knight f3→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe5 (king f5→e5, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Nxc6+ — knight d4→c6, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move Nxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/4p3/pbPpPkp1/7p/P3PN1P/3K2P1/8 b - - 0 37

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