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

Rating 1283 · Intermediate · crushing, discovered attack, discovered check, endgame, fork, short.

Position

White: king f1; rook c7; knight c5; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f6; rook b8; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nd7+ — knight c5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f6→e7).
  3. Best move: Nxb8+ — knight d7→b8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, discovered check, endgame, fork, short. The key move Nxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/ppR2p2/4pkp1/2N4p/3n4/P7/1P3PPP/5K2 b - - 7 34

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

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