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

Position

White: king c1; queen e2; rooks d1/h1; bishop d4; knights b5/e5; pawns a2/b2/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d6; rooks a8/h8; bishops b4/d7; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe7 — queen d6→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc7+ — knight b5→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e8→d8).
3. Best move: Nxc6+ — knight e5→c6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc6 (bishop d7→c6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Nxa8 — knight c7→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Nxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/pppb1ppp/2nqp3/1N1pN3/1b1B4/3P4/PP2QPPP/2KR3R b kq - 10 15

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.