Chess Puzzle #21UTg — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d4; knight g4; pawns a3/b4/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook e1; pawns a6/b5/c6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4+ — queen e6→e4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen d4→e4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe4 (rook e1→e4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nf6+ — knight g4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
4. Best move: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p1p/p1p1q1p1/1p6/1P1Q2N1/P5PP/5PK1/4r3 b - - 0 33

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