Chess Puzzle #1LoF0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 885 · Beginner · crushing, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen g4; rooks d5/h1; bishop f1; knights d6/g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/c5/g2/h4. Black: king g7; queen e7; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/e5/e6/g6/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exd5 — pawn e6→d5, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nf5+ — knight d6→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g7→f8).
  3. Best move: Nxe7 — knight f5→e7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Nf5+.

Position data

FEN: r1b4r/pp1nq1k1/3Np1pp/2PRp3/6QP/8/PPP3P1/2K2BNR b - - 0 18

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