Chess Puzzle #1Ajrf — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d3; rooks a1/f6; knight g5; pawns a3/b2/c2/d4/g4. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/g2; bishop e7; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop e7→f6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen d3→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Nxe6+ — knight g5→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e6→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Nxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/ppq1b1p1/2p1pR2/6N1/3P2P1/P2Q4/1PP3r1/R3K3 b Q - 0 23

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