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

Rating 1096 · Beginner · crushing, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen d4; rooks d1/h1; bishop b3; knight d2; pawns a4/b2/c2/d5/g2/h5. Black: king g7; queen c7; rooks c8/f8; knights b6/e5; pawns a5/b7/d6/f4/f6/g4/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxf4 — queen d4→f4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nd3+ — knight e5→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
  3. Best move: Nxf4 — knight d3→f4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Nd3+.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r2/1pq3k1/1n1p1p1p/p2Pn2P/P2Q1pp1/1B6/1PPN2P1/2KR3R w - - 1 23

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