Chess Puzzle #anB3a — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook f1; bishop e5; knight e4; pawns a3/b2/c2/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rook h7; bishops d5/e7; knight a6; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g7→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f4→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf8 (bishop e7→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Nxd7+ — knight f6→d7, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
5. Best move: Nxf8 — knight d7→f8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, exposed king, fork, interference, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Nxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp1qb1pr/n1p4p/3bB3/3PNQ2/P7/1PP3PP/5RK1 b - - 8 23

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