Chess Puzzle #4KZgR — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1088 · Beginner · crushing, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/f1; bishop g5; knight c3; pawns a2/b3/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rooks a8/d8; bishop g7; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/d6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd8 — bishop g5→d8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Nxd2 — knight f3→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Nf3+.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/pp3pbp/3p2p1/4n1B1/4P1q1/1PN5/P2Q1PPP/R4RK1 w - - 3 17

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