Chess Puzzle #KsfX3 — Intermediate, White to move, opening

Rating 1452 · Intermediate · advantage, kingside attack, opening, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishops d3/h2; knights b1/f3; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops c8/g7; knights c6/e4; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ng5 — knight e4→g5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen d8→e8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Nxg5 — knight f3→g5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, opening, short. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bqr1k1/ppp2pbp/2np2p1/8/3Pn3/3B1N1P/PP3PPB/RN1QR1K1 b - - 1 11

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