Chess Puzzle #3bc0M — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen g4; rook c1; bishop f4; knight c6; pawns a2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a3; rooks a8/f8; knight b5; pawns a5/c7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight b5→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qd3+ (queen a3→d3, gives check).
3. Best move: Ne2 — knight d4→e2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/2p2ppp/2N5/pn1p4/3P1BQ1/q7/P4PPP/2R2K2 b - - 3 19

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