Chess Puzzle #ML6QL — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1481 · Intermediate · crushing, discovered attack, kingside attack, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d4; rooks a1/f1; bishops e3/f3; knight d5; pawns a2/b3/e5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks c2/c8; bishops b7/e7; knight f6; pawns a7/b6/d6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: dxe5 — pawn d6→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight d5→f6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf6 (bishop e7→f6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxd7 — queen d4→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, kingside attack, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pb1qbppp/1p1p1n2/3NP3/3Q1P2/1P2BB2/P1r3PP/R4R1K b - - 0 17

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