Chess Puzzle #NmDwX — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2141 · Expert · equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/a2; bishops b2/d5; knights e4/f3; pawns f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rooks d8/e8; bishops b7/c5; knights c6/e5; pawns b6/c7/d7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxc5 — knight e4→c5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf3+ — knight e5→f3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf3 (bishop d5→f3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: bxc5 — pawn b6→c5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2krr3/1bpp2pp/1pn5/2bBn3/4N3/5N2/RB3PPP/R5K1 w - - 0 20

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