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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook f1; bishop c2; knight e5; pawns c4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b4; rooks d8/f8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rde8 — rook d8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxh7+ — bishop c2→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g8→h7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qh5+ — queen e2→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
4. Best move: Nxf7 — knight e5→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qb6+ (queen b4→b6, gives check).
5. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Opponent replies Qxc5+ (queen b6→c5, captures pawn, gives check).
6. Best move: Qxc5 — queen h5→c5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Bxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/ppp2ppp/8/4N3/1qP5/8/2B1Q1PP/5RK1 b - - 1 26

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