Chess Puzzle #Ph0ZQ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen b3; rook d1; knight c4; pawns a3/b4/c5/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen h6; rook d7; knight e2; pawns a6/b7/c7/e4/f3/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook d7→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight c4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Nf7+ — knight d6→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
4. Best move: Nxh6 — knight f7→h6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Nd6+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1ppr3p/p6q/2P3p1/1PN1p1P1/PQ3p1P/4nP1K/3R4 b - - 1 34

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