Chess Puzzle #JA0tT — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1977 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen c2; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; knights d2/f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c8/f8; bishop d6; knights c6/g6; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight f3→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen b6→d4, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxg6 — queen c2→g6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/pp3ppp/1qnbp1n1/3p4/3P4/2P2NP1/PPQN1PK1/R1B4R b - - 4 18

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