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

Rating 1400 · Intermediate · endgame, equality, short.

Position

White: king h1; rook d1; knights d5/e5; pawns f4/g2/h3. Black: king g7; rook c8; bishop e3; knight f5; pawns a7/e4/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook c8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxe3 — knight d5→e3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxd1+ (rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Nxd1 — knight e3→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Nxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/p4pk1/6p1/3NNn1p/4pP2/4b2P/6P1/3R3K b - - 0 34

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

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