Chess Puzzle #3ICkQ — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook f1; knight b4; pawns d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rook d2; knight c3; pawns f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook f1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Nxc1 — knight e2→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Ne2+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5ppp/8/8/1N1P4/2n1P2P/3r1PP1/5RK1 w - - 2 27

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