Chess Puzzle #2IrVW — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen e3; bishops c1/d3; knight d5; pawns c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen h1; rooks a8/h8; bishop e7; knight b5; pawns a6/b4/c3/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: O-O — king e8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe7+ — knight d5→e7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qh3 — queen e3→h3. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f7→f5).
4. Best move: Ng6+ — knight e7→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
5. Best move: Bc4+ — bishop d3→c4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, hanging piece, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Nxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/4bppp/p7/1n1N4/1p6/2pBQ3/K1P2PPP/2B4q b kq - 1 23

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