Chess Puzzle #lz9hu — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen e2; rook d1; knight d5; pawns a3/b2/c4/f2/g4/h4. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks d8/f8; pawns a7/b6/c5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfe8 — rook f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Nc6 — knight e7→c6.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move is Ne7+.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/p4ppp/1p6/q1pN4/2P3PP/PK6/1P2QP2/3R4 b - - 0 24

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.