Chess Puzzle #4UCpo — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rook f1; knight f5; pawns a2/b3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c8/f8; pawns a7/b7/e4/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nh6+ — knight f5→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rc1+ (rook c8→c1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf2 — king g1→f2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, discovered attack, endgame, equality, long. The key move is Nh6+.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/pp4p1/5q2/5N2/4p1Q1/1P6/P5PP/5RK1 b - - 3 31

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