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

Position

White: king d2; rook e2; bishop g4; knight b5; pawns b2/c4/d5/f4/g3. Black: king d8; rook h1; bishop h6; knight b4; pawns b3/b7/c5/d6/f6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g6→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd6 — knight b5→d6, captures pawn. Opponent replies gxf4 (pawn g5→f4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nxf7+ — knight d6→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d8→c7).
4. Best move: d6+ — pawn d5→d6, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Nxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3k4/1p3p2/3p1ppb/1NpP4/1nP2PB1/1p4P1/1P1KR3/7r b - - 2 24

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