Chess Puzzle #KO00x — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen e3; rooks g4/g7; knight c3; pawns a2/b4/c2/f2/f6. Black: king h8; queen h5; rooks a8/c8; knight g6; pawns b5/e6/f7/h4/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook g7→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne5 — knight g6→e5. Opponent replies Rh7+ (rook f7→h7, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxh7 — king h8→h7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qe4+ (queen e3→e4, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh8 — king h7→h8.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Ne5.

Position data

FEN: r1r4k/5pR1/4pPnp/1p5q/1P4Rp/2N1Q3/PKP2P2/8 w - - 4 31

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