Chess Puzzle #L3SXk — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2087 · Expert · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/e1; bishops c3/c4; knight f6; pawns a2/b4/c2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d7; rooks d8/h8; bishops e6/f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc4 — bishop e6→c4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd7 — knight f6→d7, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxd3 (bishop c4→d3, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Nxf8 — knight d7→f8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr1b1r/pppq2p1/2npbN1p/8/1PB1P3/2BQ4/P1P2PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 15

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