Chess Puzzle #L85NB — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2214 · Expert · deflection, equality, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/h1; bishops f1/h4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/g2/h2. Black: king e7; rooks a8/d8; bishops c8/d6; knights e5/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f4/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ng6 — knight e5→g6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nd5+ — knight c3→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e7→f8).
  3. Best move: Bxf6 — bishop h4→f6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

deflection, equality, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Nd5+.

Position data

FEN: r1br4/ppp1kp2/3b1n1p/4n3/4Pp1B/2N5/PPP3PP/2KR1B1R b - - 1 14

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