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

Rating 1877 · Advanced · equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights a4/g5; pawns a2/b2/d6/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen b7; rooks c8/h6; bishop d8; knights d7/e5; pawns a6/b4/c5/f5/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf7+ — knight g5→f7, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf7 — knight e5→f7, captures knight. Opponent replies Qe8+ (queen e2→e8, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kh7 — king h8→h7.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rb3k/1q1n2p1/p2P3r/2p1npN1/Np6/7P/PP2QPP1/R1B2RK1 w - - 5 24

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.