Chess Puzzle #20rtQ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 874 · Beginner · advantage, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c2; rooks a1/h1; bishops f3/f4; pawns a2/b2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/f8; bishop f2; knight a6; pawns a7/c6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc6 — bishop f3→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nb4+ — knight a6→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc3 (king c2→c3).
  3. Best move: Nxc6 — knight b4→c6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nb4+.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p4ppp/n1p5/8/2P2B2/5B2/PPK2bPP/R6R w - - 0 25

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