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

Position

White: king e4; rook d8; bishop f2; pawns a2/b2/e5/f4/h3. Black: king g7; knights e6/f5; pawns a6/b7/d4/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook d8→d7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight e6→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king e4→d5).
3. Best move: Nxd7 — knight c5→d7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Nc5+.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/1p3pk1/p3n1pp/4Pn2/3pKP2/7P/PP3B2/8 w - - 4 39

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