Chess Puzzle #7NmJI — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rooks a1/b7; knights b6/d2; pawns a5/c2/d3/e4/g2/h3. Black: king d8; queen g7; rooks g8/h8; knights c7/f4; pawns c6/d6/e5/e6/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxh3+ — knight f4→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Nxf2 — knight h3→f2, captures queen. Opponent replies a7 (pawn a6→a7).
4. Best move: Qxg2+ — queen g7→g2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Nxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3k2rr/1Rn3q1/1Nppp3/P3p3/4Pn1p/3P3P/2PN1QP1/R5K1 w - - 3 33

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