Chess Puzzle #LAI22 — Expert, Black to move, opening

Rating 2103 · Expert · equality, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/c4; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops f8/h5; knights c6/g8; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxe5 — knight f3→e5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxe5 — knight c6→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxh5 (queen d1→h5, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Nxc4 — knight e5→c4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move Nxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qkbnr/1pp2ppp/p1np4/4p2b/2BPP3/2N2N1P/PPP2PP1/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 1 7

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