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

Rating 1033 · Beginner · crushing, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; rooks b1/c6; bishop g3; knight d4; pawns a3/c2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen c7; rooks b8/d8; bishop d7; pawns a6/b7/c4/e5/f6/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc6 — bishop d7→c6, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ne6+ — knight d4→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king g7→g6).
  3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e6→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Ne6+.

Position data

FEN: 1r1r4/1pqb2k1/p1R2p1p/2Q1p1p1/2pN4/P1P3BP/2P2PP1/1R4K1 b - - 0 23

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