Chess Puzzle #Y6Hgz — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook g1; bishop e4; knights c5/f5; pawns a3/b4/d6/f2. Black: king g8; queen g7; rook f8; bishop g4; knight d7; pawns a6/b5/e5/f4/h6. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg5 — queen g7→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg4 — rook g1→g4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxg4 (queen g5→g4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxh6+ — knight f5→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Nxg4 — knight h6→g4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, deflection, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Nxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/3n2q1/p2P3p/1pN1pN2/1P2Bpb1/P7/5P1K/6R1 b - - 4 33

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