Chess Puzzle #ncX6M — Master, White to move, opening

Rating 2549 · Master · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f1; queen d2; rooks a1/h1; bishops f4/f7; knights b1/e5; pawns a3/b2/c2/d3/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen f6; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/h4; knights b8/g8; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g7→g5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qb4+ — queen d2→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e7→d8).
  3. Best move: Nxc6+ — knight e5→c6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rnb3nr/pp2kBpp/2p2q2/4N3/4pB1b/P2P4/1PPQ2PP/RN3K1R b - - 2 12

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