Chess Puzzle #1esGa — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen f4; rooks a1/g4; knight f5; pawns a4/b2/c2/e4/f2/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen d2; rooks d8/e8; bishop c5; pawns a5/b7/c6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nh6+ — knight f5→h6, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: gxh6 — pawn g7→h6, captures knight. Opponent replies gxh6+ (pawn g5→h6, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf8 — king g8→f8.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move gxh6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/1p3ppp/2p5/p1b2NP1/P3PQRP/8/1PPq1P2/R4K2 w - - 5 29

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