Chess Puzzle #5xFyu — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks d1/f1; bishop d3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop b7; knight f6; pawns a7/b6/c7/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng4 — knight f6→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxh7+ — bishop d3→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g8→h7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qh3+ — queen e3→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Nh6 (knight g4→h6).
4. Best move: Rxd8 — rook d1→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Bxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pbp3pp/1p3n2/4p3/2P5/2NBQ3/PP4PP/3R1RK1 b - - 0 17

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