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

Rating 1164 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, fork, pin, short.

Position

White: king g2; rook d8; knight d5; pawns a3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; rook e4; bishop f8; pawns a7/b6/f6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight d5→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
  3. Best move: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, pin, short. The key move Nxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3R1bk1/p4pp1/1p3p1p/3N4/4r2P/P5P1/5PK1/8 b - - 1 39

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