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

Rating 1009 · Beginner · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen f3; rooks a1/h1; bishops d2/d3; knight a3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop e5; knights b6/c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: dxe5 — pawn d4→e5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxe5 — knight c6→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qe2 (queen f3→e2).
  3. Best move: Nxd3+ — knight e5→d3, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/ppp1pp1p/1nn3p1/4b3/3P4/N1PB1Q1P/PP1B2P1/R3K2R w KQ - 0 13

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