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

Position

White: king c2; rook f1; knight e5; pawns a2/b3/c3/d4/f7/h5. Black: king f8; rooks c6/h8; pawns a3/b7/e4/g5/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf6 — rook c6→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures rook. Opponent replies gxf6 (pawn g7→f6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ng6+ — knight e5→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king f8→f7, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Nxh8+ — knight g6→h8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Nxh8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k1r/1p3Pp1/2r5/4N1pP/3Pp3/pPP5/P1K5/5R2 b - - 3 31

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