Chess Puzzle #07o1N — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f2; rooks d1/h1; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook a8; bishop c8; knights b6/g3; pawns a7/b7/c4/d5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxh1 — knight g3→h1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f2→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Ng6+ — knight e5→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg6+ (queen g5→g6, captures knight, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxg6 — queen f7→g6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/pp3p2/1n5p/3pN1q1/2pP4/2P3nP/PP3QP1/1K1R3R b - - 1 22

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