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

Rating 1054 · Beginner · advantage, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen b5; rooks d1/h1; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen e7; rooks d8/h8; knight g3; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f5/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxh1 — knight g3→h1, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nc6+ — knight e5→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king b8→a8).
  3. Best move: Nxe7 — knight c6→e7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Nc6+.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/pp2qp1p/4p3/1Q1pNp2/3P4/2P2PnP/PP4P1/2KR3R b - - 2 19

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