Chess Puzzle #CCiPm — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e5; rooks d1/h1; bishops b2/f1; knight g7; pawns a2/b3/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops d7/e7; knights e4/e6; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf2 — knight e4→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe6 — knight g7→e6, captures knight. Opponent replies Bf6 (bishop e7→f6).
3. Best move: Qg3+ — queen e5→g3, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, opening, short. The key move Nxe6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pp1bbpNp/2p1n3/4Q3/4n3/1P6/PBP2PPP/2KR1B1R b - - 0 14

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