Chess Puzzle #1NEPS — Beginner, White to move, opening

Rating 1162 · Beginner · advantage, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops b2/f1; knights b1/h5; pawns a3/b3/c2/d2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c5/d4/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bg4 — bishop c8→g4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight h5→f6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen d8→f6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxg4 — queen d1→g4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1bqkb1r/pp3ppp/2n2n2/2p1p2N/3p4/PP2P3/1BPP1PPP/RN1QKB1R b KQkq - 5 7

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