Chess Puzzle #7VDs6 — Advanced, White to move, opening

Position

White: king f1; queen c2; rooks a1/h1; bishop d2; knights b5/g2; pawns a2/b2/c4/e4/f2/g3/h3. Black: king e8; queen f6; rooks a8/h8; bishops c6/g7; knight f3; pawns a7/b7/c5/d6/e6/f7/g5/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe4 — bishop c6→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd6+ — knight b5→d6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
3. Best move: Nxe4 — knight d6→e4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/pp3pb1/2bppq2/1Np3pp/2P1P3/5nPP/PPQB1PN1/R4K1R b kq - 5 19

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