Chess Puzzle #HHNtW — Advanced, Black to move, opening

Rating 1844 · Advanced · equality, intermezzo, opening, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/e2; knights c3/d4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops f5/g7; knights d5/f6; pawns a7/b7/d6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxf5 — knight d4→f5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: gxf5 — pawn g6→f5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pp2ppbp/3p1np1/3n1b2/3N4/2N4P/PPP1BPP1/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 13

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