Chess Puzzle #KD12t — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen h2; knight g3; pawns a4/b3/f2/f6/g5/h4. Black: king g8; rooks c8/d1; knight f5; pawns a5/b7/d5/e6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rcc1 — rook c8→c1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf5 — knight g3→f5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rg1+ (rook d1→g1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf3 — king g2→f3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move Nxf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1p3p2/4pPpp/p2p1nP1/P6P/1P4N1/5PKQ/3r4 b - - 1 31

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