Chess Puzzle #NVZqq — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1918 · Advanced · equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen c4; rooks a1/h1; bishop g3; knight c7; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b6; rooks a8/f8; bishop g7; knights b8/f5; pawns a7/b7/d4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook f8→c8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxa8 — knight c7→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qa5+ (queen b6→a5, gives check).
  3. Best move: b4 — pawn b2→b4.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Nxa8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rn3r1k/ppN3bp/1q4p1/4Pn2/2Qp4/6B1/PPP2PPP/R3K2R b KQ - 0 17

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