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

Position

White: king h2; queen f6; knight h4; pawns a2/f4/g3. Black: king g8; queen c5; rook a8; pawns a7/b7/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf5 — knight h4→f5. Opponent replies Qf2+ (queen c5→f2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh3 — king h2→h3. Opponent replies Qf1+ (queen f2→f1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh4 — king h3→h4. Opponent replies Qh1+ (queen f1→h1, gives check).
5. Best move: Kg5 — king h4→g5. Opponent replies h6+ (pawn h7→h6, gives check).
6. Best move: Nxh6+ — knight f5→h6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Nxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp3p1p/5Q2/2q5/5P1N/6P1/P6K/8 b - - 1 36

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