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

Position

White: king h2; queen h6; knight g5; pawns b4/d4/e5/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; rooks a1/b3; bishop d7; pawns c2/d5/f5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be6 — bishop d7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxh7 — knight g5→h7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rh1+ (rook a1→h1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxh1 — king h2→h1, captures rook. Opponent replies c1=Q+ (pawn c2→c1, promotes to queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxc1 — queen h6→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Nxh7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3b1p1p/6pQ/3pPpN1/1P1P3P/1r6/2p2PPK/r7 b - - 1 27

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