Chess Puzzle #3oNQ8 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1186 · Beginner · equality, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishop f3; knight c2; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks a8/f8; knight g5; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h4 — pawn h2→h4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf3+ — knight g5→f3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf3 (queen d1→f3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen g6→c2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Nxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp3pp1/2p3qp/3p2n1/8/2P2B2/PPN2PPP/R2QR1K1 w - - 2 18

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