Chess Puzzle #3KS2c — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1082 · Beginner · advantage, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c1; rooks a1/f1; bishop f3; knight a7; pawns a4/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen h4; rooks d3/h8; bishop g7; knight b6; pawns b7/c6/e6/f7/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kb8 — king c8→b8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc6+ — knight a7→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies bxc6 (pawn b7→c6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxc6 — queen c1→c6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The key move Nxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/Np3pb1/1np1p3/6p1/P6q/3r1B1P/1P3PP1/R1Q2RK1 b - - 0 18

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