Chess Puzzle #chPWB — Advanced, White to move, opening

Rating 1972 · Advanced · defensive move, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops b2/d3; pawns a3/c2/c3/e3/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop g6; knight e4; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/e6/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxf2 — knight e4→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kxf2 — king e1→f2, captures knight. Opponent replies fxe5+ (pawn f6→e5, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kg1 — king f2→g1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Kxf2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/ppp3pp/4ppb1/3pP3/4n3/P1PBP2P/1BP2PP1/R2QK2R b KQ - 1 16

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