Chess Puzzle #CVhqw — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h6; rooks a1/g1; bishops c1/c2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d3/e4/f2/g5/g6. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks d8/h8; bishop e7; knights c6/h7; pawns a6/b7/c7/d4/e5/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxg5 — knight h7→g5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: gxf7+ — pawn g6→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king g8→f7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Bb3+ — bishop c2→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f7→e8).
4. Best move: Qxh8+ — queen h6→h8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, attraction, interference, kingside attack, long, middlegame, pin. The key move gxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2kr/1pp1bp1n/p1nq2PQ/4p1P1/3pP3/2PP4/PPB2P2/R1B1K1R1 b Q - 0 23

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