Chess Puzzle #2DPpG — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 991 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, pin, short.

Position

White: king d3; rook a6; knight c3; pawns a3/c5/e3/f4. Black: king f6; rook c7; knight f3; pawns d5/e6/f5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd5+ — knight c3→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f6→f7).
  3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight d5→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move Nxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2r5/R3pk2/2Pp1p1p/5P2/P1NKPn2/8/8 b - - 3 46

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