Chess Puzzle #J4HRT — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/f1; knight e6; pawns a4/a6/c4/d3/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; rooks c8/h5; bishop f8; knight f4; pawns a7/b6/d4/d6/e5/f5/g4/g5. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight f4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Rxh2+ — rook h5→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king h1→h2, captures rook).
4. Best move: g3+ — pawn g4→g3, gives check. Opponent replies fxg3 (pawn f2→g3, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Be7 — bishop f8→e7. Opponent replies Qxb6+ (queen b3→b6, captures pawn, gives check).
6. Best move: axb6 — pawn a7→b6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, quiet move, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxh2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1kr2b2/p7/Pp1pN3/3Ppppr/P1Pp1np1/1Q1P4/5PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 23

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