Chess Puzzle #4OhN5 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d6; rook g2; bishop b3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/e4/f3/f6/h2. Black: king h7; queen f2; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight f1; pawns a7/b7/c6/d7/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf3 — queen f2→f3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8 — queen d6→f8, captures rook. Opponent replies Ng3+ (knight f1→g3, gives check).
3. Best move: hxg3 — pawn h2→g3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qf1+ (queen f3→f1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king h1→h2.

Tactical themes

crushing, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2r2/pp1p1p1k/2pQ1Ppp/8/4P3/1BN2P2/PP3qRP/5n1K b - - 1 24

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