Chess Puzzle #aQYRQ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks a1/d2; bishop c1; knight d5; pawns a3/b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rooks b8/e8; bishop e7; knight g5; pawns a7/c5/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd2 — queen c2→d2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe7+ — knight d5→e7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Ng6+ — knight e7→g6, gives check. Opponent replies hxg6 (pawn h7→g6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qh4+ — queen g4→h4, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Nxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r2r1k1/p3b1pp/8/2pN1pn1/6Q1/P3P3/1PqR1PPP/R1B3K1 b - - 1 22

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