Chess Puzzle #0E8Ra — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rooks a1/e1; knight d1; pawns a3/b4/c4/d3/e2/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen h5; rook e6; bishop h3; knight e5; pawns c7/d4/d6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh4 — queen f4→h4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxf3+ — knight e5→f3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies exf3 (pawn e2→f3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e6→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
4. Best move: Rf1+ — rook e1→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f2→e2).
5. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen h5→f3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, kingside attack, middlegame, very long. The key move Nxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2p2ppp/3pr3/4n2q/1PPp1Q2/P2P1PPb/4P2P/R2NR1K1 w - - 1 23

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