Chess Puzzle #POCez — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen h2; rooks d7/e3; bishop c6; knight f3; pawns a4/e5/g3. Black: king f8; queen h6; rooks g4/h8; bishop a6; knight f2; pawns a7/c7/e6/f7/g5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg3+ — rook g4→g3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxg3 — king g2→g3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxh2+ (queen h6→h2, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxh2 — knight f3→h2, captures queen. Opponent replies Rh3+ (rook h8→h3, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxf2 — king g3→f2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Kxg3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5k1r/p1pR1p2/b1B1p2q/4P1p1/P5r1/4RNP1/5nKQ/8 b - - 1 35

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