Chess Puzzle #288WD — Expert, White to move, opening

Rating 2117 · Expert · defensive move, equality, hanging piece, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks c1/h1; bishop f1; knights a3/d5; pawns a2/b4/c4/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knights c6/f6; pawns a6/b7/d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: fxe4 — pawn f3→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qh4+ (queen d8→h4, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kd2 — king e1→d2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, opening, short. The key move fxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1rk1/1p3ppp/p1np1n2/3Np3/1PP1P3/N4P2/P5PP/2RQKB1R b K - 0 12

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