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

Rating 978 · Beginner · advantage, master, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; rooks a1/f7; bishops c1/d3; knight e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/g5/g7/h2. Black: king e8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knights b8/c5; pawns a6/b4/d4/d6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd3+ — knight c5→d3, captures bishop, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: cxd3 — pawn c2→d3, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxg7 (bishop f8→g7, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Rxg7 — rook f7→g7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move cxd3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rnb1kb1r/5RPp/p2p4/2n3P1/1p1pP3/3B4/PPP1N2P/R1B1K3 b Qkq - 0 18

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.