Chess Puzzle #9kxYm — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h5; rook g1; bishop c2; knights f3/g7; pawns a2/c3/d5/e4/f2/g4/h3. Black: king h8; queen c7; rook b8; bishop a4; knights c5/g8; pawns b2/c4/d6/e5/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng5 — knight f3→g5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kxg7 — king h8→g7, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxh7+ (queen h5→h7, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf8 — king g7→f8.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Kxg7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4nk/2q2pNp/3p4/2nPp2Q/b1p1P1P1/2P2N1P/PpB2P1K/6R1 w - - 5 31

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