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

Rating 1475 · Intermediate · equality, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen h4; rooks a1/g1; knight c3; pawns a3/b3/c2/d2/e3/f2. Black: king d7; queen g8; rook a8; bishop f7; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/g4. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight c3→e4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king e1→e2).
  3. Best move: Nxh4 — knight f3→h4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nf3+.

Position data

FEN: r5q1/pp1k1b2/2p1p3/4n3/6pQ/PPN1P3/2PP1P2/R3K1R1 w Q - 4 31

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