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

Position

White: king c1; queen f3; rook d1; bishops d2/d3; knights e4/g5; pawns a2/b2/c2/h4. Black: king e8; queen c7; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/e7; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf7 — knight g5→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king e8→f7, captures knight).
3. Best move: Nxf6 — knight e4→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxf6 (bishop e7→f6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qh5+ — queen f3→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
5. Best move: Bb4+ — bishop d2→b4, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attack on f2/f7, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Nxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/1pq1bppp/p3pn2/6N1/4N2P/3B1Q2/PPPB4/2KR4 b kq - 5 17

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