Chess Puzzle #JvkTC — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen d8; knight f7; pawns c5/d4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen c6; rook b1; knight e3; pawns a6/e6/f5/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd1+ — knight e3→d1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kg3 — king f2→g3. Opponent replies f4+ (pawn f5→f4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf4 — king g3→f4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Kg3.

Position data

FEN: 3Q4/5Npk/p1q1p1p1/2P2p2/3P4/4nP2/5KPP/1r6 b - - 5 34

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