Chess Puzzle #FCf94 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1568 · Intermediate · equality, opening, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; knights c3/e5; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops g7/h3; knight d5; pawns a6/c6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight c6→d8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Nxd1 — knight c3→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move Nxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qk2r/4ppbp/p1p3p1/3nN3/3P4/2N3Pb/PP3P1P/R1BQR1K1 w kq - 6 14

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