Chess Puzzle #5bLhA — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d5; rooks a1/h1; knights c4/e6; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b7; rooks d8/f8; bishops d6/g6; knight c6; pawns a4/b4/e4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf7 — bishop g6→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd8 — knight e6→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxd5 (bishop f7→d5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxb7 — knight d8→b7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/1q4pp/2nbN1b1/3Q4/ppN1p3/8/PPP2PPP/R3K2R b KQ - 0 22

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