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

Rating 1428 · Intermediate · equality, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e1; bishop h5; knights a3/g6; pawns a2/b4/c3/g3/h2. Black: king c7; rooks a8/e8; bishops b7/g7; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/c5/d5/e4/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop g7→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nb5+ — knight a3→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king c7→d8).
  3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight b5→c3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nb5+.

Position data

FEN: r3r3/pbkn2b1/1p4Np/2pp3B/1P2p3/N1P3P1/P6P/R3R1K1 b - - 0 23

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