Chess Puzzle #j2iLN — Expert, White to move, opening

Rating 2379 · Expert · equality, opening, pin, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop b3; knights e4/g5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops a7/c8; knights c6/d5; pawns a6/b5/c7/e5/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight d5→f6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf7 — knight g5→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Ng5 — knight e4→g5.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, pin, sacrifice, short. The key move Nxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1rk1/b1p2pp1/p1n5/1p1np1N1/4N3/1BPP4/PP3PPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 13

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