Chess Puzzle #WIz9O — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1826 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f2; rooks d1/g1; knights d7/e5; pawns a3/b4/c2/e3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; rook d8; bishops e6/f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/e4/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxf8 — knight d7→f8, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook d8→f8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king f2→g3).
  3. Best move: Nxe5 — knight c6→e5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1bk1/pp1N2p1/2n1b2p/4N3/1P2p2P/P3P3/2P2KP1/3R2R1 w - - 3 25

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.