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

Position

White: king g1; rook a1; knights b5/c6; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king b7; rooks e8/f3; knight d7; pawns a7/c7/g5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxc6 — king b7→c6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd4+ — knight b5→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc5 (king c6→c5).
3. Best move: Nxf3 — knight d4→f3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nd4+.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/pkpn3p/2N5/1N4p1/8/5rP1/PPP2P1P/R5K1 b - - 3 21

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