Chess Puzzle #AY4gC — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1407 · Intermediate · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight g3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops f5/f6; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc2 — knight d4→c2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf5+ — knight g3→f5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies gxf5 (pawn g6→f5, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen d1→c2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qr3/ppp3k1/5bp1/4pb2/3n4/2P3NP/PP1P1PP1/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 16

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