Chess Puzzle #3tXAr — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1499 · Intermediate · endgame, equality, fork, long, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; rook c3; knight h5; pawns a3/b3/g2/g3/h4. Black: king b8; rook f7; knight d4; pawns a6/b7/d5/g4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf4 — knight h5→f4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf4 — rook f7→f4, captures knight. Opponent replies gxf4 (pawn g3→f4, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
  4. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e2→c3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Rxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/1p3r2/p7/3p3N/3n2pP/PPR3P1/6P1/6K1 w - - 0 37

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

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