Chess Puzzle #1RfMA — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 863 · Beginner · advantage, defensive move, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king g1; knights c7/d6; pawns a4/b4/d4/g2/g4/h3. Black: king e7; bishop a2; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/f6/g5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc8+ — knight d6→c8, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Kd8 — king e7→d8. Opponent replies Nxa7 (knight c8→a7, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Kxc7 — king d8→c7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, master, short. The key move is Kd8.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1Nnk2p/1p1N1p2/6p1/PP1P2P1/7P/b5P1/6K1 w - - 3 38

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

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