Chess Puzzle #2PA0M — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1055 · Beginner · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks a1/h5; knight c3; pawns a4/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen d7; rooks a8/c8; bishop f6; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ke7 — king f8→e7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd5+ — knight c3→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen d7→d5, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rxd5 — rook h5→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1r2k2/1p1q1p2/p3pb1Q/3p3R/P7/2N4P/2P2PP1/R5K1 b - - 2 24

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