Chess Puzzle #YLIug — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks a1/g1; bishop c2; knights b3/f3; pawns a2/b4/c4/d5/e4/f2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop h4; knight f4; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg4 — rook g1→g4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nh3 — knight f4→h3. Opponent replies Kh2 (king h1→h2).
3. Best move: Nxf2 — knight h3→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qg1 (queen d1→g1).
4. Best move: Nxg4+ — knight f2→g4, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Nxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/p1p2ppp/1p1p4/3Pp3/1PP1Pn1b/1N3N2/P1B2P2/R2Q2RK w - - 2 20

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