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

Position

White: king g1; rook a7; bishop c2; knight c5; pawns b4/c3/f2/g3/g4. Black: king g7; rook f8; bishop c6; knight g8; pawns b5/d4/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc3 — pawn d4→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe6+ — knight c5→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g7→f6).
3. Best move: Nxf8 — knight e6→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, pin, short. The key move Nxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rn1/R4pkp/2b1p1p1/1pN5/1P1p2P1/2P3P1/2B2P2/6K1 b - - 0 28

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