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

Rating 1542 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, intermezzo, long, master.

Position

White: king d3; knights d4/e3; pawns c3/f2/g3/h3. Black: king d6; bishop f6; knight c4; pawns b5/f5/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd4 — bishop f6→d4, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc4+ — knight e3→c4, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king d6→d5).
  3. Best move: cxd4 — pawn c3→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies bxc4+ (pawn b5→c4, captures knight, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kc3 — king d3→c3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, intermezzo, long, master. The key move Nxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/3k1bpp/1p3p2/2nN4/2PKN1PP/5P2/8 b - - 4 41

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