Chess Puzzle #AAj1G — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1483 · Intermediate · attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, fork, long.

Position

White: king c2; rook d1; knight c3; pawns a4/b2/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king f6; queen c6; pawns b7/e5/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: fxe4 — pawn f5→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd6+ — rook d1→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen c6→d6, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Nxe4+ — knight c3→e4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f6→e6).
  4. Best move: Nxd6 — knight e4→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Nxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p5p/2q2kp1/4pp2/P3P3/2N2P2/1PK3PP/3R4 b - - 2 29

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