Chess Puzzle #FIeQy — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen a4; rooks d1/e1; bishop g1; knights c6/e2; pawns b2/c3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks b8/e8; bishop c5; knights d5/e4; pawns a5/d6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ndxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e2→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Nxc3 (knight e4→c3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Nxb8 — knight c6→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r2r1k1/5ppp/2Np1q2/p1bn4/Q3nP2/2P3P1/1P2N2P/2KRR1B1 b - - 0 20

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