Chess Puzzle #2JCs3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 991 · Beginner · advantage, endgame, fork, short.

Position

White: king e1; knight d6; pawns a2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rook c3; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc7 — king c8→c7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nb5+ — knight d6→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king c7→b6).
  3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight b5→c3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nb5+.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pp3p1p/3N2p1/8/2P5/2r5/P5PP/4K3 b - - 1 25

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