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

Rating 2265 · Expert · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; knight d6; pawns a2/b2/d4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen h4; rooks d8/h8; bishops d5/f8; knight c7; pawns c6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd6 — bishop f8→d6, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: exd6 — pawn e5→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king d7→d6, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: g3 — pawn g2→g3.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move exd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1b1r/1Qnk1pp1/2pN3p/3bP3/3P3q/8/PP3PPP/R1B1R1K1 b - - 0 21

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.