Chess Puzzle #KmvLN — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen g4; rooks a1/f1; bishop f4; knights b1/e5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/h3. Black: king e8; queen e6; rooks a8/h8; bishop e7; knights d7/e4; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/f7/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f7→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen g4→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg6+ (queen e6→g6, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxg6 — knight e5→g6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/pppnbpp1/4q1p1/3pN3/3PnBQ1/7P/PPP2PK1/RN3R2 b kq - 8 16

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