Chess Puzzle #54bhh — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f6; rook c1; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/d6/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook e5; bishop d4; pawns a6/b5/c5/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf6 — queen d8→f6, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight e4→f6, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Opponent replies Kxf6 (king g7→f6, captures knight).
4. Best move: d8=Q+ — pawn d7→d8, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long, promotion. The key move Nxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/5p2/p2P1Qpp/1pp1r3/3bN3/6P1/PP3P1P/2R3K1 b - - 2 25

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