Chess Puzzle #NuaqG — Expert, White to move, opening

Rating 2041 · Expert · equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops e2/e3; knights b5/f3; pawns a3/b4/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen h5; rooks d8/h8; bishops d6/g4; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop g4→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd6+ — knight b5→d6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd6 (rook d8→d6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Bxf3 — bishop e2→f3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/ppp2ppp/2nbpn2/1N5q/1P1P2b1/P3BN2/2P1BPPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 2 11

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