Chess Puzzle #7CBrD — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g8; rook e1; knight b3; pawns c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen a2; rook d8; bishop e7; pawns d4/e5/f6/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd7 — king e8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight b3→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc5 (bishop e7→c5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxa2 — queen g8→a2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, endgame, short. The key move is Nc5+.

Position data

FEN: 3rk1Q1/4b3/5p2/4p3/3p3p/1N5P/q1P2PP1/2K1R3 b - - 4 43

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