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

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; knight d6; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/h2. Black: king e8; queen h4; rooks a7/g8; knight d7; pawns a6/b5/d4/e5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke7 — king e8→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf5+ — knight d6→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e7→d8).
3. Best move: Nxh4 — knight f5→h4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4k1r1/r2n3p/p2N4/1p2p3/3p3q/8/PPP2P1P/R2Q1R1K b - - 4 25

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