Chess Puzzle #Jcf5x — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e1; rooks a1/f5; bishop c1; knights h3/h5; pawns a2/b2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rooks a8/f8; bishop e7; knights c4/c6; pawns a6/b5/d5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb4 — bishop e7→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg3 — queen e1→g3. Opponent replies Qd1+ (queen d4→d1, gives check).
3. Best move: Ng1 — knight h3→g1. Opponent replies Qxh5 (queen d1→h5, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rxh5 — rook f5→h5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Qg3.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/4bpp1/p1n4p/1p1pPR1N/2nq4/7N/PP4PP/R1B1Q2K b - - 1 20

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