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

Position

White: king g2; queen b3; knight c4; pawns a5/d3/e4/f2/g3/h4. Black: king e8; queen c5; knight e6; pawns a6/b7/e5/f6/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb5 — queen c5→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight c4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
3. Best move: Nxb5 — knight d6→b5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Nd6+.

Position data

FEN: 4k3/1p6/p3npp1/P1q1p2p/2N1P2P/1Q1P2P1/5PK1/8 b - - 1 39

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.