Chess Puzzle #RA9BJ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2257 · Expert · defensive move, equality, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/e1; bishop c6; knights c3/d4; pawns a2/b3/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h7; queen d8; rooks b8/f8; bishop g7; knights e5/h5; pawns a6/d6/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc6 — knight d4→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen d8→c8).
  3. Best move: Nd4 — knight c6→d4.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r1q1r2/5pbk/p1Bp2pp/4n2n/3NP3/1PN3P1/P2Q1P1P/R3R1K1 b - - 2 20

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

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