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

Position

White: king g1; queen e1; rook f5; bishop d3; knight g5; pawns a3/b4/c2/e3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e5; rooks d8/g8; bishop e6; pawns a7/c6/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf5 — bishop e6→f5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf7+ — knight g5→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
3. Best move: Nxe5 — knight f7→e5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2rk/p4p1p/2p1b3/4qRN1/1P6/P2BP3/2P3PP/4Q1K1 b - - 0 23

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