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

Rating 1065 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, fork, short.

Position

White: king d2; rooks d7/g1; pawns a2/c2/c3. Black: king f6; rook h8; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook d7→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king d2→e3).
  3. Best move: Nxg1 — knight f3→g1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nf3+.

Position data

FEN: 7r/pppR4/5k2/4n3/4p2p/2P5/P1PK4/6R1 w - - 4 39

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