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

Rating 1018 · Beginner · advantage, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e2; queen f3; rooks a1/e5; bishops b3/g5; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; knights e6/f6; pawns a7/b5/c6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxc6 — queen f3→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nd4+ — knight e6→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e2→f1).
  3. Best move: Nxc6 — knight d4→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nd4+.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1k1r/p5pp/2p1nn2/1p2R1B1/8/PBN2Q2/1PP1KPPP/R7 w - - 5 19

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