Chess Puzzle #4UG3S — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1077 · Beginner · advantage, defensive move, endgame, short.

Position

White: king e2; rook b2; knight f3; pawns a3/b3/e3/g2/h3. Black: king d6; rook c1; knight e4; pawns a5/d5/e5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc3+ — knight e4→c3, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kd2 — king e2→d2. Opponent replies Ra1 (rook c1→a1).
  3. Best move: Kxc3 — king d2→c3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Kd2.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pp/3k4/p2pp3/4n3/PP2PN1P/1R2K1P1/2r5 b - - 5 36

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