Chess Puzzle #2ODq0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1036 · Beginner · crushing, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks b3/e1; bishop d3; knight c3; pawns a2/c2/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g7; queen d6; rooks a8/f8; knight e5; pawns a7/c6/d7/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rbb1 — rook b3→b1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
  3. Best move: Nxd2 — knight f3→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nf3+.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/p2pppkp/2pq2p1/4n3/4P3/1RNB2P1/P1PQ1P1P/4R1K1 w - - 1 18

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