Chess Puzzle #VnnS1 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks a1/e1; bishops c4/h4; knight e5; pawns a2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop h7; knights a5/f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop h4→f6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxf7 (knight e5→f7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kxf7 — king e8→f7, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxe6+ (bishop c4→e6, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg7 — king f7→g7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move gxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qk2r/pp3ppb/2p1pn1p/n3N3/Q1BP3B/2P5/P4PPP/R3R1K1 w kq - 2 15

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