Chess Puzzle #MqYX1 — Master, White to move, opening

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishops f1/g5; knight g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/f3/g4/h5. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a8/e8; bishop h8; knights d4/f6; pawns a6/b4/c5/d6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight f6→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: hxg6 — pawn h5→g6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nc3+ (knight d5→c3, gives check).
3. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b4→c3, captures pawn).
4. Best move: gxf7+ — pawn g6→f7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move gxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r1kb/5p1p/p2p1np1/q1pP2BP/1p1n2P1/5P2/PPPQ4/1K1R1BNR b - - 2 19

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