Chess Puzzle #LBXqb — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1435 · Intermediate · crushing, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/f4; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/d3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knights c6/e5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf5 — bishop c8→f5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Nxd5 — knight f6→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Nf6+.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/ppp2ppp/2n5/3qn3/4NB2/3P2QP/PP4P1/R4BKR b - - 3 17

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