Chess Puzzle #2PHat — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1369 · Intermediate · advantage, endgame, fork, short.

Position

White: king c2; rook a7; knight e3; pawns b2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d6; rook b8; knight d4; pawns c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc3 — king c2→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nb5+ — knight d4→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc4 (king c3→c4).
  3. Best move: Nxa7 — knight b5→a7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r6/R1p2ppp/3k4/8/3n4/1P2N3/1PK2PPP/8 w - - 2 25

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