Chess Puzzle #2hCzf — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1503 · Intermediate · advantage, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rooks a1/g3; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b7; rooks a8/f8; bishop e7; pawns a6/b5/c5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf7+ — knight e5→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
  3. Best move: Nxh6+ — knight f7→h6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Nxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1q2bpp1/p6p/1pp1N3/5Q2/6R1/PP3PPP/R5K1 b - - 0 23

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